A damning independent report, the Makin review, into Smyth’s alleged sadistic abuse of more than 100 boys and young men over decades led to the resignation of Justin Welby as archbishop of Canterbury in November and has sent shockwaves through the C of E. Lord Carey, who retired as archbishop in 2002, was told about Smyth’s abuse but failed to take proper action, the review found.
After the Makin review was published in November, the C of E’s national safeguarding team said clergy named in the report could face action if they posed an immediate safeguarding risk, or were responsible for failures of leadership, moral accountability or reputation risk to the church.
George Carey, the former archbishop of Canterbury, is among 10 Church of England clergy who could face disciplinary proceedings over the way the church handled allegations of abuse carried out by the barrister John Smyth.
Alexander Kubeyinje, the C of E’s national director of safeguarding, said: “We know this will never undo the harm caused but the church is committed to taking very seriously its response to the findings of the review as well as responding to its recommendations.”.
The independent review, conducted by Keith Makin, concluded that Smyth, thought to be the most prolific serial abuser associated with the church, might have been brought to justice had Welby formally reported allegations to police in 2013.
