Legal experts supporting survivors of church-related abuse are demanding an independent review into the Church of England’s (CofE) response to the case of Canon John Roberts, a former vicar and convicted sex offender who continued to serve in ministry despite his criminal record.
Canon Roberts, now 89, was convicted in 2020 on nine counts of indecent and sexual assault involving three victims spanning the 1980s, 2000s, and 2010s. His crimes included abusing a boy during his time as a vicar in Woolton in the 1980s, a child in the early 2000s, and an adult in the 2010s. In June 2024, Roberts received an additional three-year sentence after another victim came forward, detailing abuse between the ages of 10 and 13 in the 1970s. Roberts is currently serving his sentence and remains on the Sex Offenders Register for life.
The Church’s response to the case has reignited criticism, particularly regarding the actions of the Archbishop of Canterbury, Most Rev Justin Welby, who was Dean of Liverpool Cathedral in 2007. Despite knowledge of Roberts’ 1989 conviction for sex offenses, Archbishop Welby reportedly allowed him to continue officiating under the condition that he avoided being alone with parishioners. Welby later admitted during the 2019 Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA) that he regretted permitting Roberts to remain in ministry.
Legal representatives of the survivors, including Richard Scorer of Slater and Gordon and David Greenwood of Switalskis Solicitors, have called Roberts’ case a severe failure of safeguarding protocols. Scorer stated, “At the very least, Justin Welby appears to have exhibited the same lack of curiosity and concern we saw recently revealed in the Smyth case.” Greenwood added, “This scandal mirrors past incidents where clergy convicted of abuse were reinstated without adequate consideration of the risks.”
In a statement, Lambeth Palace acknowledged the grave harm caused by Roberts’ actions and reiterated its commitment to accountability. “The assaults carried out by John Roberts were an appalling breach of trust and have damaged the lives of his victims and the survivors,” the statement read. It also noted that while Archbishop Welby followed the established process at the time, he has since expressed regret for his handling of the matter and apologized publicly.
The case has intensified calls for systemic reforms within the Church of England to address safeguarding failures and prevent similar breaches of trust in the future. Survivors and advocates continue to demand transparency, accountability, and a commitment to justice for those harmed.
