In a recent interview with the BBC, Justin Welby, the former Archbishop of Canterbury, expressed his forgiveness towards John Smyth, a notorious serial abuser associated with the Church of England. Smyth, who passed away in 2018, was responsible for the abuse of over 100 boys and young men in the UK and Africa. Welby acknowledged that he should have taken more action to bring Smyth to justice, as highlighted in a damning 2024 review that pointed out his failure in addressing the issue.
During the interview, Welby admitted to feeling a deep sense of personal failure for not doing more to prevent Smyth’s abuse. He also expressed his regret over a speech he made after resigning, where he made light of the situation. Welby further detailed his frustration with the Church’s lack of movement towards introducing fully independent safeguarding measures and greater equality for women and gay couples. He emphasized the importance of unity within the Church to prevent splitting between English branches and other parts of the Anglican communion.
Smyth’s abusive behavior spanned from the 1970s onwards and took place within Church-related environments like camps and schools. He evaded justice both in the UK and abroad until his death. The 2024 Makin Report described Smyth’s actions as “brutal abuse on an industrial scale” and criticized missed opportunities for investigation, including when evidence was presented to Welby in 2013. Despite expressing his forgiveness towards Smyth, Welby highlighted the paramount importance of supporting and empowering victims to rebuild their lives.
In reflecting on his own actions, Welby acknowledged a lack of understanding and more could have been done to address the situation when allegations against Smyth first arose. The former Archbishop expressed regret over his initial decision not to resign and confessed to feeling overwhelmed by the scale of abuse within the Church. The Church’s governing body rejected proposals for independent safeguarding measures, a decision that frustrated Welby. However, he remains hopeful for the Church’s future, emphasizing the need for social cohesion and unity in an increasingly diverse society
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