In a striking call for accountability, survivor Andrew Morse has urged Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby to resign following revelations regarding the Church of England’s handling of abuse allegations against John Smyth. Morse, who endured four years of abuse at the hands of Smyth during the late 1970s and early 1980s, expressed his frustration with Welby’s admitted inaction after learning about the abuse in 2013. This situation highlights serious questions about leadership and institutional responsibility within the Church.
Morse’s testimony sheds light on the disturbing history surrounding Smyth, a British barrister who met Morse while he was a student at Winchester College. According to Morse, Smyth exerted control over vulnerable boys through manipulation and physical violence. He described Smyth as a predator who ingratiated himself into the lives of young boys under the guise of mentorship.
Morse reflected on his experiences, stating that Smyth introduced concepts of sin and repentance that culminated in extreme physical punishment, which he termed a “special beating.” This brutal treatment forced Morse to confront his trauma and seek help from church leaders, only to be met with silence.
An independent review led by Keith Makin found that church officials were aware of Smyth’s abusive behavior as far back as 2013, yet failed to report it to law enforcement. The findings revealed that multiple opportunities were missed to inform authorities, ultimately allowing Smyth to evade justice and continue his abusive practices abroad.
The Makin review criticized senior church figures for their lack of curiosity regarding the allegations and their tendency to minimize the severity of the situation. Despite significant evidence available since the 1980s, church leaders did not take appropriate action until public pressure mounted following investigative reports by Channel 4 News in 2017.
Morse believes that this failure extended beyond individual negligence; he argues it constitutes a systemic cover-up within the Church. He emphasized that it was external media scrutiny—not internal church actions—that finally prompted a legitimate police investigation into Smyth’s crimes.
As calls for Welby’s resignation grow louder—including from Bishop Helen Ann Hartley—Lambeth Palace has stated unequivocally that Welby has no intention of stepping down. They reiterated his horror at Smyth’s actions while maintaining that he was unaware of any allegations prior to 2013.
Looking ahead, Morse suggests that Welby’s resignation could serve as a pivotal moment for acknowledging past failures and standing in solidarity with abuse survivors. The ongoing discourse surrounding these events reflects broader issues of accountability within religious institutions, urging a reevaluation of how such organizations address allegations of misconduct.
In light of these developments, many are left questioning whether substantive change can occur within the Church or if it will continue to grapple with its troubling legacy.
Calls for Resignation Amid Church Abuse Scandal A senior figure within the Church of England has urged the Archbishop of Canterbury to step down, labeling his position as “untenable” following a scathing report detailing the abuse perpetrated by John Smyth QC, a notorious child abuser linked to the Church.
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