In the light of the highly critical report into its safeguarding arrangements by the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales has to go back to the drawing board. Accepting the report’s conclusions with suitable apologies, and agreeing to another round of restructuring of its child protection arrangements as recommended, will not be enough. The bishops’ response so far has fallen short of the drastic measures required to restore confidence.

Yet a solution is at hand. Two years ago a report appeared titled “Synodality in the Life and Mission of the Church”, which examined the way the Church would function if it took its own theology seriously. It was written by the International Theological Commission under the auspices of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, and published with an endorsement by Pope Francis. It is clear on every page that to take decisions affecting the People of God without even a gesture of consultation with the People of God is contrary to the Church’s basic constitution.