The Church of England is set to issue a formal apology for its role in historical forced adoptions, where thousands of babies were taken from unmarried mothers in the decades following World War II. The church operated around 100 mother and baby homes across England, where unmarried pregnant women were
The Church of England is set to issue a formal apology for its role in historical forced adoptions, where thousands of babies were taken from unmarried mothers in the decades following World War II. The church operated around 100 mother and baby homes across England, where unmarried pregnant women were sent to give birth in secret. Many of these babies were later adopted by married couples, sometimes after donations to “moral welfare” organisations linked to the church. Painful memories of survivors Survivors and campaigners have welcomed the Church’s move but stressed the need for sincerity and transparency. One survivor, Jan Doyle, was sent to a Kent home at age 16 in 1963. Recalling the harsh conditions, she told BBC News, “If the floors needed washing, we would have to get down on our
