London — In one of the most damning admissions to date by the Church of England, the head of the church admitted they “colluded” with and helped to hide the long-term sexual abuse of children and young men.

On Thursday, Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby apologized to the victims who spoke out and helped bring their attacker to justice. However, according to the report on how the church handled the case, as well as the slap on the wrist ex-bishop Peter Ball received for decades of abuse, ‘justice’ is a loosely thrown around term.

According to the AP, Welby ordered the report after Ball was convicted and imprisoned in 2015 for misconduct in public office and indecent assaults against teenagers and young men over a period of 20 years.

Despite admitting to sexually abusing 18 people, this serial child rapist was let out of prison after only serving 16 months.

Welby’s report noted that Ball’s conduct “caused serious and enduring damage to the lives of many men,” and that “the church at its most senior levels and over many years supported him unwisely.”

After admitting that the church not only looked the other way for decades, the report also concedes that they helped to hide the abuse.

“The church colluded and concealed rather than seeking to help those who were brave enough to come forward,” Welby said.

“This is inexcusable and shocking behavior,” he said, according to the AP, adding that while most of what happened took place years ago, “we can never be complacent, we must learn lessons.”  REST OF IT