The Church of England is commencing disciplinary proceedings against 10 clergy members in connection to the prolific abuser, John Smyth, following a review of evidence. Former Archbishop of Canterbury George Carey and Rev Andrew Cornes are among those facing action. Smyth, who passed away in 2018, was found to have used brutal violence to abuse boys at his residence in Winchester during the 1970s and 1980s, according to the Makin Review.
Survivors of Smyth’s abuse expressed relief that some are finally being held accountable for their failures, but were surprised that certain individuals were not named in the report. The review detailed the severe abuse inflicted by Smyth on over 120 boys and young men at Christian camps from the late 1970s until his death in 2018. The report led to the resignation of Justin Welby due to his personal and institutional responsibility in the matter.
Among those facing disciplinary action by the Church of England are several clergy accused of not taking appropriate action during Smyth’s abusive timeline. The report revealed that George Carey had been aware of the abuse in 1983 and that he had studied at Trinity Theological College when Smyth was prominent. Lord Carey relinquished his “permission to officiate” following an investigation into the Church’s handling of a separate abuse case.
Canon Andrew Cornes, a retired clergyman from the Chichester diocese, also faces disciplinary action for his inaction after being informed of abuse by a victim in 1982. The Church of England clarified that Rev Cornes has stepped back from ministry while the outcome of the process is pending. The disciplinary process could result in individuals being barred from church ministry for life if found guilty
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