A service of lament and healing was held in Wycliffe Hall chapel on Tuesday 23rd April attended by seven former tutors, current members of Wycliffe Hall Council and some staff. The service included the placing of broken pottery on the communion table, along with appropriate music, readings and prayers.
This memorable service marked a key stage in an extended period of engagement between former tutorial staff and Hall Council, in which they addressed together the way concerns raised 15-20 years ago were handled by Hall Council at the time. This process involved hearing the former tutors’ grievances and acknowledging the injustice experienced, which had led to the departure of two-thirds of the tutorial staff by resignation or dismissal. The service marked the completion of this initial phase, and also the hope that further healing might now be possible, impaired relationships restored and lessons learned for the future.
Over the last year Hall Council members met with the former tutors, read their submitted accounts and consulted college records. On this basis, as trustees of Wycliffe Hall, the Council has offered a full apology to the former tutors for past failures, notably to adequately listen and respond to their concerns raised at the time. The trustees also expressed their profound regret for the hurt and damage caused then and subsequently to all those involved. They lament the impact on their families, the spiritual damage done, the hindered careers and the tarnished reputations.
Wycliffe Hall has implemented significant developments and improvements to its structures, systems and processes in the last 10 years. It has a policy of continuously reviewing and developing these to ensure that the Hall today and in the future is recognised as maintaining the highest standards of governance.
All those involved have experienced this as a crucial process of peace-making and renewal, not just a painful re-examination of the past. Reconciliation is ongoing, and we pray that this journey together will contribute to the healing of wounds, the renewed flourishing of Wycliffe Hall and the glory of God.
Any further enquiry relating to this statement should be addressed to the PA to the Principal.
