UK charity rejects church leader’s donation over safeguarding concern

UK charity The Children’s Society “respectfully decided not to accept” a donation from its own honorary president last month, following his resignation as the leader of the Church of England.

Justin Welby announced his resignation as Archbishop of Canterbury in November 2024, following criticism of his response to child sex abuse in the church. The following month, he made a speech which angered abuse victims for its “frivolous” tone and “disturbing” message, before formally leaving his role in early January 2025.

Archbishops of Canterbury have for many years also held the role of honorary president – which is not an executive or trustee position – of The Children’s Society. The children and young people’s charity is legally known as The Church of England Children’s Society, and was founded nearly 150 years ago with the church’s backing.

A few days before Christmas 2024, the charity announced on X (formerly Twitter) and on LinkedIn that it was rejecting a donation offered by Welby, “after careful consideration”. The value of the donation has not been made public. In an accompanying statement, the charity’s chief executive Mark Russell said:

“The Children’s Society is deeply committed to supporting the survivors of abuse… and this means that accepting this donation would not be consistent with the principles and values that underpin our work.

“We believe that there is an urgent need for the Church of England to reset its approach to safeguarding and continue to create a safer Church and safer spaces for young people, protected by real accountability.” 

A response from the Archbishop said that he “respects” the decision, and commended the charity for its “tireless work”.

The vast majority of responses the charity’s LinkedIn post, including several comments by other UK charity leaders, were supportive of the charity’s decision. Responses on X were more mixed, with one commenting:

“Extremely sad and surprised to see this, as a longstanding supporter of the Children’s Society.”

Miriam Cates, who until last year was a Member of Party for the Conservative Party, wrote in the online magazine Premier Christianity that she felt the decision was “wrong” but nonetheless “understandable”. She said:

“Some may criticise the decision to turn away a financial gift that could help hundreds of needy children. But in many peoples’ eyes, the CofE has become synonymous with poor safeguarding practice. In today’s outrage-fuelled, frenzied media environment, the Children’s Society has taken an understandable position.”