Archbishop promises sex abuse review
Staff and agencies
Friday May 25, 2007
Guardian Unlimited

The Church of England is seeking advice on how it can investigate historic cases of sexual abuse, the Archbishop of Canterbury said today.

Rowan Williams apologised for past mistakes, admitting the church's response to the issue had sometimes been "very inadequate".

"I fully acknowledge that errors were made in the period that is being discussed," Dr Williams told BBC Radio 4's Today programme.

"Certainly, before 1995, practice was very variable, very uneven and often not very competent or well-informed about the law or best practice."

The church has been hit by claims in recent months that it failed to adequately investigate allegations of abuse, allowing some people to remain in the church despite their behaviour being known. the rest