Archbishop of Canterbury apologizes for forced adoptions

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Sarah Mullally, has formally apologized for the Church of England's role in the forced adoption of approximately 185,000 children from unmarried mothers in the decades following World War Two. The apology, issued on Thursday, June 18, 2026, accompanied the release of a church-commissioned report examining its involvement in mother and baby homes from 1949 to 1976.

Archbishop Mullally stated the church is profoundly sorry for the pain, trauma, and stigma experienced and still carried by those affected. She directly addressed survivors, saying the shame they were made to feel was wrong and that they have nothing to be ashamed of. The report details how a culture of shame, stigma, and secrecy surrounded unmarried mothers at the time, despite changing social attitudes.

The Church of England was a significant provider of these homes, with its research indicating there could have been as many as 200 affiliated institutions. Unmarried women and girls were often sent to these homes during pregnancy or after giving birth, where they were routinely separated from their babies. The report found life inside was characterized by domestic work, prayer, and...