John Smyth, Church Scandal, Channel 4 9pm

Is this the scandal that finally did for the former archbishop of Canterbury?

Smyth abused over 100 boys in his care, here in the UK, and two African countries.

He had a man cave at the bottom of his garden where these beatings took place.

His son PJ was his youngest victim, with up to 60 beatings at a time with a cane, his skin never had time to heal.

This was the case which hastened the resignation of the last Archbishop of Canterbury.

Young boys can be and are just as vulnerable as girls when they are targeted by an abuser.

He told them the beatings would purify and cleanse them

MaizieD

Is this the scandal that finally did for the former archbishop of Canterbury?

Yes 👍

I watched an interview with his son and a victim this morning, it was harrowing.

PJ is now a father and grandfather and wanted to do this documentary so that his family knew the truth and not just bits from the internet

Horrifying. Those poor wee boys. What a beast.

The abuse is shocking.
The effort needed to expose the abuse is also shocking.

It will be a difficult watch.😖

I read his daughter’s account this morning, the impact on her has been quite devastating too.

I heard his daughter being interviewed on the Today programme this morning.

I don't think he was a priest, was he?
I agree it is harrowing. I'm not sure I can bear to watch the programme.

I won’t watch it. I feel sort of voyeuristic and it upsets me.

He was a barrister I think?

mumofmadboys

I don't think he was a priest, was he?
I agree it is harrowing. I'm not sure I can bear to watch the programme.

You are correct he wasn’t ordained, he was closely associated with the Anglican Church.

He was a trustee of The Irwene Trust which ran church summer camps for young boys.

He was also a Reader at Christ Church, Winchester.

I won’t be watching it either. I call myself a Christian and attend church when I can but some of those (mainly male) priests in positions of power are unbelievable. What was Welby thinking? Then of course there’s Bishop Ball who the then Prince of Wales allowed to rent a cottage. Ball ended up in jail.

Absolutely dreadful. Covered up by the Church.

I would not watch it. The man must be deranged. Why didn't his wife go to the police or was she part of it. Surely an Archbishop would not cover up such a thing. How on earth did his children cope?

This goes right back to 1980. The story came out some years later. Archbishop Welby was told the police were investigating and did not pursue it, but many others, more directly involved, knew far more and covered up for him. The police failed too.

Most of those directly involved, including Smyth, are dead, but most of the survivors of his abuse are still alive.

Aveline

Horrifying. Those poor wee boys. What a beast.

Actually most were young men, who were indoctrinated to believe that the beatings were part of their spiritual purification.

What was Welby thinking?

I dont remember his excuses through the years.

But I do remember one of his parting shots. Will never forget.
He said, something like, the extent of the abuses, not just by this man but others too, was "too overwhelming to cope with".

That is so not any excuse.

I understand there seems to be a lot of it.
But even Jesus himself delegated work.
He had 12 disciples, and then 72 others.
So that is 84 people.
Not to mention all the women behind the scenes of which there were many.

I always thing delegation is an underused thing in life.

Whitewavemark2

I won’t watch it. I feel sort of voyeuristic and it upsets me.

He was a barrister I think?

Neither will I.

It was extensively and thoroughly reported when it first came to light (well, it was in my paper of choice) and I don’t quite understand what is to be gained by this documentary.

MaizieD

Whitewavemark2

I won’t watch it. I feel sort of voyeuristic and it upsets me.

He was a barrister I think?

Neither will I.

It was extensively and thoroughly reported when it first came to light (well, it was in my paper of choice) and I don’t quite understand what is to be gained by this documentary.

Smyth's family and his victims are keen the truth is told from their perspective. The Church of England tried to whitewash the Makin Report and Welby still contests it publicly.
The documentary will reach far further than the Makin Report. It took the power of television to reveal the Post Office scandal to the masses. I hope this has a similar effect. Many in the Church of England who have got away with turning a blind eye should be forced out, the victims should have their say.

I wont be able to watch it either.

Well you should watch it your comfort pales into insignificance compared to the discomfort of the abused You should not close your eyes to the awful things that go on
It can’t be voyeurism if the people involved want it shown and surely we owe it to them to learn more and help stop it and we can’t do that if we close our eyes to horrible things

BlueBelle

Well you should watch it your comfort pales into insignificance compared to the discomfort of the abused You should not close your eyes to the awful things that go on
It can’t be voyeurism if the people involved want it shown and surely we owe it to them to learn more and help stop it and we can’t do that if we close our eyes to horrible things

What you don’t seem to understand is that knowing one’s emotional limits is healthy and a sign of self care.

To be fully informed about these dreadful examples, does not mean that one must constantly expose oneself to the graphic details.

My empathy does not stop because I avoid disturbing, graphic television.

Neither does my ability to fight for change.

No BlueBelleno one should watch it. It isn't necessarily a matter of closing one's eyes ^to the awful things that go on^; some have personal experience.

Sorry if this has been upsetting for some Gransnetters.

It wasn’t my intention, I just thought it was important in the context of abuse which is primarily focused on girls and women.