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The Anglican Church of Southern Africa (ACSA) has issued an apology for its failure to protect congregants and the broader community from potential abuse by John Smyth, a British barrister and former lay minister accused of extensive child abuse in the UK and Zimbabwe during the 1970s and 1980s. Smyth relocated to South Africa in 2001, where he continued his involvement in church activities until his death in Cape Town in 2018.

An independent inquiry commissioned by ACSA revealed that, while no documented cases of abuse by Smyth occurred in South Africa, there was a significant risk due to his active participation in church communities. The report criticized the church’s internal communication, noting that after receiving warnings about Smyth’s past behavior in 2013, ACSA’s efforts to inform and protect its members were insufficient.

Archbishop Thabo Makgoba acknowledged these shortcomings, stating, “We find that the protective measures in place within ACSA at the time Smyth lived in South Africa inadequately mitigated the serious risk of such conduct being repeated here by Smyth, or others.” He emphasized the church’s commitment to rectifying these failures and proposed several measures to enhance safeguarding protocols, which will be presented to church leadership for immediate implementation.

This apology follows broader revelations about Smyth’s abusive actions and the systemic failures within the Anglican Communion to address them. A recent independent review highlighted that Smyth abused approximately 30 boys in the UK and 85 in Africa over five decades, with church officials, including former Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, being aware of allegations but failing to act appropriately.

In response to these findings, Archbishop Makgoba has expressed deep regret and reaffirmed ACSA’s dedication to ensuring the safety and well-being of its members. He also encouraged any individuals affected by abuse within the church to come forward, assuring them of support and confidentiality.

The church’s leadership is now focused on implementing the recommended safeguarding measures to prevent such failures in the future and to uphold the trust and safety of its congregation.

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Piers Potter
Author: Piers Potter

Piers Potter

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