The Church of England has faced criticism for its response to the issue of forced adoption, with one survivor describing its apology as 'poor'. Vik Fielder, who lives in Somerset, was adopted as a baby after her unmarried mother was forced to give her up. The pair were separated at birth and Fielder's mother died when she was just 38 years old.
Fielder's story is not unique, with many others sharing similar experiences of being adopted against their mothers' will in the 1950s, 60s and 70s. The Church of England helped run over 100 mother and baby homes during this time, where unmarried women were sent to give birth and hide from society. A spokesperson for the Church of England said it recognised the 'painful' nature of the issue and would remain 'committed to listening, learning and providing support'.
However, Fielder says the apology falls short, describing it as 'weak and badly worded'. She praised the Bishop of Bath and Wells for being 'welcoming' and 'listening' to the mothers and children affected, but says the Church of England as a whole needs to take greater responsibility for its role in forced adoption.
'They're trying to slide out of culpability, is what their apology feels like,' Fielder said. 'It's not just about the apology, it's about the truth and the shame that needs to be shifted from our shoulders onto theirs.'