‘Prolific and abhorrent’ abuse by John Smyth covered up by CofE for decades
John Smyth QC, a barrister and prominent Christian leader, was the most prolific serial abuser to be associated with the Church of England, according to the Makin review which was finally published yesterday. It charted “horrific and violent abuse” where he had groomed more than 100 young children and young men over decades and beat them with canes in his garden shed. The abuse was known about since the early 1980s by people at the highest levels in the church, but it was covered up for decades. Some of the boys were groomed at the Iwerne evangelical Christian summer camps in Devon where Smyth was a leader, and others in Winchester. The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, attended the Iwerne camps and knew John Smyth well. His involvement in the story is woven through the report. In a statement and an interview with Channel 4 last night, Justin Welby once more said he was not aware of Smyth’s abuse until 2013 when he became archbishop and then made a “shameful” decision not to act energetically or remorselessly to deal with it. The report severely criticises the lack of robust action to investigate the abuse. Justin Welby said he was advised not to interfere because of police inquiries, but he should not have followed this advice. He had considered resigning, even consulting colleagues yesterday morning, but had decided to stay. John Smyth left the country in 1984 and moved to Zimbabwe where he continued to abuse boys. The story was finally revealed by Channel 4 news in 2017 and a year later, Smyth died of a heart attack. Church Times story here
Smyth survivors have little confidence in the CofE will follow review recommendations
A statement from survivors and victims of John Smyth, points out that the review is more than 1630 days late, following repeated delays in publication. It says they have “little confidence that the C of E will take any more notice of the recommendations of this review than it has of all those recommendations of the many previous safeguarding reports”. There is “excellent safeguarding work” going on in dioceses away from church hierarchy, but the statement says the church centrally continues to engage inappropriately with victims and survivors. They accuse the church hierarchy of actively persecuting them, saying they are lied to and promises are broken. They believe there “most certainly will be” future cases of abuse and the CofE should “finally break the habit of a lifetime and take victims and survivors seriously, rather than seek to manage the Church of England’s reputation and protect their own”.
Plymouth bishop installation delayed at last minute for second time
The Catholic Bishop-elect of Plymouth, Philip Moger, has postponed his installation, originally scheduled for tomorrow, Saturday 9 November, just hours before the ceremony, after “concerns were raised”. This is the second abrupt stop to an installation of a Bishop in Plymouth this year. Philip Moger issued a statement yesterday saying: “In the very last few days, concerns have been raised of a personal nature to which I must attend immediately. This will take a little time. I have therefore agreed with all directly concerned to delay my installation as the new Bishop of Plymouth until these processes have been completed”. He regretted the delay but said it was important due process was observed. Philip Moger was a priest in the Diocese of Leeds for over 40 years, then Rector of the National Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham in Norfolk and is now Auxiliary Bishop of Southwark. His appointment to Plymouth was announced in September after another appointment to the same bishop’s job was abruptly cancelled in February. Then, Canon Christopher Whitehead had his installation cancelled because a “canonical process” / investigation had been launched. He has since returned to parish ministry. At the time, the cancellation was regarded as unprecedented. The diocese has been without a bishop for two years.
Islamophobia: a society-wide problem impacting young people
Organisers of Islamophobia Awareness Month are tackling the rise in hate crime against Muslims by highlighting the importance of “little good deeds” to create a bigger change, such as talking to friends about their faith, or even smiling at a Muslim neighbour in the street. Most of the hate crimes reported to March 2024 were against Muslims, leading to the conclusion that this is a society wide problem requiring everyone to act. The issue is particularly prevalent for young Muslims, with 70 per cent experiencing mental health issues reporting that they have been a victim of Islamophobia, according to a 2021 report. Incidents recorded by the Islamophobia Response Unit, such as verbal abuse against women wearing the hijab, also indicate a reluctance a mong Muslims to report cases to the police, fuelled by distrust. Maira Butt’s report explains more here.
Vatican hopes Trump will ease tensions in conflict and overcome polarisation
The Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, has given his first reaction to the election of Donald Trump. Speaking to journalists attending a conference on AI, he said: “At the beginning of his mandate, we wish him much wisdom because that is the principal virtue of those who govern”. Trump would have to be the president of the whole country in order to overcome polarisation and he hoped the new president may ease tensions in war zones, but even Trump “does not have a magic wand”. On solutions to war, he said: “There is a need for much humility, much willingness and the need to seek the interests of humanity as a whole, rather than focusing on particular interests”. And on Ukraine, he said to wait and see what Trump proposed after taking office. On deporting millions of illegal immigrants, he said: “We are for a wise policy toward migrants” that does not lead to extreme policies. On dealing with a Trump presidency, he said: “This will be an occasion to exercise dialogue and try to find together more points of consensus, always for the benefit of the common good and of peace in the world.” Report in America here
Appeal for faith to be a bridge in building cooperation after US divided vote
InterFaith America has issued a statement saying many are disheartened with the presidential election result, but in the days ahead, the focus must be on civil dialogue, bridging divides. It appeals to people to reach across differences and be grounded in shared values. “The work of bridgebuilders is more critical than ever”. It sees its role as building an interfaith America, where identity is a source of pride, using faith as a bridge to foster cooperation instead of division. “It ends: Together, we can help shape a future where everyone has a place in our democracy and plays an active role in civic life.”
17th year of Gaza Winter Walks planned for five cities in England
The aid agency Muslim Hands is organising, for the 17th year, the “Gaza Winter Walk” in five cities across England, raising money for projects in Gaza. The series of walks starts in Manchester on 14 December and follows in Birmingham, London and Nottingham, ending in Bradford on 11 January. So far, more than 20,000 walkers have taken part and have raised more than £1million. The money will go towards basic needs, providing water, food, and medicine.
Bells arrive at Notre Dame cathedral as it prepares to open next month
Three new bells have been delivered to Notre Dame cathedral in Paris, including one used in the city’s Stade de France stadium during this year’s Paris Olympic Games. That is a gift from the Paris 2024 organising committee. The other two are smaller bells, named Chiara and Carlos, will be hung above the altar where they will be rung during Mass. Their arrival is among the final steps in the renovation following the 2019 fire, as the cathedral prepares to open on 8 December. The bells were made by the Cornille Havard foundry, in Villedieu-les-Poêles, Normandy, and were consecrated with holy water when they arrived. Associated Press report here
