The Bishop of Blackburn has admitted that a “fear-driven silence” prevented him from speaking out about grooming gangs.
In an article for The Church of England Newspaper, Rt. Rev. Philip North said he refrained from addressing the issue out of concern that doing so might undermine the Church’s efforts to promote racial justice.
Earlier this month, the government announced a national inquiry into grooming gangs following a report by Baroness Louise Casey. The report found that a culture of “blindness, ignorance, and prejudice” had led to repeated failures to properly investigate cases in which children were abused and exploited by gangs.
Baroness Casey noted there was an “over-representation” of Asian and Pakistani men among suspects in cases across Greater Manchester, West Yorkshire, and South Yorkshire.
Bishop North described Baroness Casey as “not a person who is afraid to name uncomfortable truths.” He said her “fearlessness” prompted him to reflect on why he hadn’t supported a public inquiry when the issue was raised earlier this year.
He admitted staying silent despite having heard “directly and on many occasions” about the concerns of working-class families who feared their daughters were vulnerable to well-organized gangs.
“Why did I so readily believe the voices that claimed that calling for an inquiry was a collusion with the far right?” he asked.
Bishop North also suggested he wasn’t alone among church leaders in holding back:
“It’s not just me,” he said. “The Church of England prides itself on being a presence in every community. The local knowledge of our clergy and church leaders about what is happening in their neighborhoods is legendary. There must be hundreds of other church leaders like me who had heard rumors, stories, and concerns yet said nothing.
“We are quick to speak out on benefits and inequality, on Israel and Gaza, on assisted dying and the care system. Why have we been collectively silent on grooming gangs?”
Bishop North cited the potential to damage social cohesion and community relations as key reasons for his previous silence. He also acknowledged that the Church’s commitment to racial justice played a role:
“Raising an issue that so directly impacts one ethnic group could appear to conflict with our commitment to racial justice.”
However, he now admits that failing to speak out ultimately harmed community relations, by reinforcing the perception that one ethnic group could target another with impunity.
“Moreover, our corporate silence reflects a deeper problem — the growing distance between a culturally middle-class established Church and the needs and concerns of working-class communities.”
Bishop North concluded by acknowledging his own need for introspection:
“I’m now doing some serious reflection about my fear-driven silence when it comes to grooming gangs. I hope other church leaders will do the same,” he said.