The Diocese of Winchester acknowledges with deep sadness the horrific abuse perpetrated by John Smyth and the significant pain caused to so many. We welcome the publication of Keith Makin’s independent review and the thorough work that has gone into it, fully endorsing the apology offered by the Church of England’s leaders and committing ourselves to understanding and learning from the lessons for strengthening safeguarding practices across all levels of our Church.
In all of our considerations in the wake of the Makin Review it is the needs and feelings of survivors which must come first, recognising that much of this will have been deeply re-traumatising for them. We are deeply grateful to all the survivors who had the courage to contribute with such dignity to this review, recognising how costly it would have been to do so.
Clearly it is a matter of deep regret and sorrow that John Smyth was able to have any association with our diocese while perpetrating such abhorrent abuse. Bishop Philip will be addressing this matter and the ways it directly impacts our diocese in his address to Diocesan Synod on Thursday evening, which will be published in full.
We will be holding a service of Lament and Prayer in the Lady Chapel at Winchester Cathedral, this Sunday evening at 5.30pm, during which prayers will be said in lament for the failings of the Church to properly safeguard the vulnerable. Bishop Philip and Dean Catherine will be leading the service, to which everyone is most welcome.
If you or anyone you are in contact with are affected by the publication of this report and want to talk to someone independently, please call the Safe Spaces helpline on 0300 303 1056 or visit safespacesenglandandwales.org.uk. You can also contact the National Safeguarding Team by emailing safeguarding@churchofengland.org and find further sources of support on the Church of England website here.
If anyone has any information or concerns relating to the safety of children, young people or vulnerable adults within the church environment or the wider community they should please share them without delay with the relevant Church or Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser, the Police or the relevant Local Authority Social Care Department. Further details on these organisations can be found on the Safeguarding webpage here.
