Church of England Formally Apologizes for Its Role in Forced Adoptions Into the 1970s

The Independent (UK)—The Church of England issued a formal apology for its role in facilitating forced adoptions that continued as recently as the mid-1970s, acknowledging the lasting pain and trauma inflicted on birth mothers and adoptees. The Archbishop of Canterbury delivered the apology, the most senior Church official to directly address the practice. Thousands of unmarried mothers were pressured by Church institutions and clergy to surrender their babies, often without being told they had the right to refuse. Survivors and advocacy groups welcomed the apology but called for additional steps toward restorative justice.

• The Independent (UK) — The apology acknowledged the 'pain and trauma' caused to birth mothers and adoptees over decades.
• Daily Maverick — Church of England archbishop apologizes for historical forced adoption practices
• The Straits Times — The Archbishop of Canterbury delivered the formal apology on behalf of the Church of England.
• The Independent (UK) — Church of England apologized for facilitating forced adoptions that continued through the mid-1970s.
• BBC — Church of England formally apologizes for its role in historic forced adoptions