theguardian.com
Smyth Abuse Review: Church Failures Exposed
An independent review details the extensive abuse perpetrated by evangelical Christian barrister John Smyth, highlighting the failures of the Anglican Church and others in bringing him to justice.
English
United Kingdom
JusticeHuman Rights ViolationsGender IssuesInvestigationAfricaAbuseChurchCoverup
Anglican ChurchChurch Of EnglandChurch-On-MainChannel 4
John SmythJustin WelbyAnne SmythStephen ConwayGarth Counsell
- What legal proceedings did John Smyth face, and what was the outcome?
- Smyth faced charges in Zimbabwe for culpable homicide and assault in 1995, but the trial collapsed due to a conflict of interest. He and his wife moved to South Africa in 2001, ultimately settling in Cape Town. Despite concerns raised, he remained active in his church until 2017.
- What were the main findings of the Makin review regarding John Smyth's abuse?
- John Smyth, an evangelical Christian barrister, abused approximately 130 boys and young men in the UK, Zimbabwe, and possibly other African countries. An independent review highlighted the Anglican church's failure to report him to the police, potentially hindering justice.
- Where did John Smyth's abuse take place, and what activities did he undertake in these locations?
- The Makin review investigated the Anglican church's handling of Smyth's abuse. It revealed that Smyth's abuse continued in Zimbabwe and South Africa, where he operated Christian camps and later campaigned for conservative evangelical causes. The review also criticized the lack of information on Smyth's activities in South Africa.
- How did Church-on-Main respond to concerns about John Smyth, and what was the assessment of their actions?
- The Church-on-Main in Cape Town, where Smyth was active, was criticized for not taking appropriate action earlier. Although they eventually removed Smyth and his wife as leaders in 2017, their initial response was considered inadequate and delayed.
- What role did Justin Welby play in the handling of the Smyth case, and what criticisms were made of his actions?
- Justin Welby, the former archbishop of Canterbury, learned of Smyth's abuse in 2013 but did not report him to the police. This failure is criticized in the review, as it allowed Smyth to continue his abuse and evade prosecution for many more years.