“There was a distinct lack of curiosity shown by these senior figures and a tendency towards minimisation of the matter, demonstrated by the absence of any further questioning and follow up,” says the review, “particularly regarding the Church reassuring itself that a known abuser was not still actively abusing (albeit in a different country, but this does not diminish the moral responsibility on people).”
“The conclusion that must be reached is that John Smyth could and should have been reported to the police in 2013,” the report goes on to say. “This could (and probably would) have led to a full investigation, the uncovering of the truth of the serial nature of the abuses in the UK, involving multiple victims and the possibility of a conviction being brought against him.”
Elsewhere, the reviewers say, “Our opinion, therefore, is that Justin Welby held a personal and moral responsibility to pursue this further, whatever the policies at play at the time required.”
They add, “He was advised to not pursue this further whilst a police investigation was underway (which it wasn’t) but he should have made further attempts to reassure himself that the matter was being pursued, particularly with regard to the approach to South Africa.”
RELATED: Pastor John-Paul Miller Arrested for Assault, Released on Bond Less Than a Week After FBI Raid
The public was not aware of allegations against Smyth until 2017, when the BBC’s Channel 4 published its investigation. This report prompted Hampshire Police to open their investigation and the Church of England did take some steps at this point.
“A Church Core Group was established, and some remedial actions were taken, predominantly focussed on internal Church action to manage the situation,” says the review. However, “several very critical actions did not take place that would have more appropriately responded and provided a trauma-informed, victim-centred approach.”
“An effective and comprehensive support arrangement for the victims of the abuse was not put in place until months after the programme was aired and a promise, made by Justin Welby, to meet with victims was not met for another four years,” says the review. “These failures to act have been described by the victims as being re-traumatising.”
Justin Welby Responds to the Makin Review
In an initial statement responding to the Makin Review, Justin Welby praised the courage of the victims and said, “I am deeply sorry that this abuse happened.”
“I am sorry that concealment by many people who were fully aware of the abuse over many years meant that John Smyth was able to abuse overseas and died before he ever faced justice,” said Welby. “The report rightly condemns that behaviour.”
“I had no idea or suspicion of this abuse before 2013,” Welby continued. “Nevertheless the review is clear that I personally failed to ensure that after disclosure in 2013 the awful tragedy was energetically investigated.”
_(2).jpg){kind=link}
