John Smyth, Church Scandal, Channel 4 9pm

Yes, it was the "lets ship abroad" mentality as in going back to Empire days when instead of court proceedings wealthy families sent their sons to wreak whatever havoc elsewhere. Just disgraceful.

Those clergy closest to Smyth arranged for him to leave the UK to work abroad where it seems he continued his vile ways. They are hugely to blame for the cover up.

BlueBelle

Where’s his wife in all this? is she still alive ? Surely she knew what was going on Did she turn a blind eye ?

Smyth's widow, Ann is interviewed (by two of her children) towards the end of the second part of the documentary.
Her children and the victims/survivors stated they hold no blame against Ann Smyth, she was likely as much a victim of Smyth's coercive control as those he abused.
The blame lies with Smyth and the many officials of the Church of England who allowed his abuse to continue.
The subject of abuse was treated extremely sensitively.

Where’s his wife in all this? is she still alive ? Surely she knew what was going on Did she turn a blind eye ?

I went into the Parish Church where my parents are buried some time ago. I always like a copy of the parish magazine. I flicked through and there was a photo of former Archbishop Justin Welby. His eyes had been scratched out. I picked up another copy …. Same. I looked at about a dozen more, all the same. A colour photo on the wall was the same. At the time I couldn’t understand why but having seen the prog. Maybe one of his victims had been in before me.

I’m sorry if my post upset you Smileness but I do think the average person who wants to close their eyes does need to watch , of course if someone was abused so badly in their childhood it’s understandable they maybe can’t that wasn’t who I was referring to and I apologise for upsetting you

I remember watching a documentary a few years ago about that Bishop Ball. One of his victims, who was now an adult, described his perverted behaviour towards him and other boys.
I could not help thinking what a horrible vile man he is.

Abuse came too close to home when the police arrested the vicar of the next parish, his computer was full of child sex abuse.

It's a personal decision keepingquiet and not one anyone should be criticised for making.

I thought Bluebelle had a point. We cannot shy away from the reality of what some human beings are capable of. I will watch it but probably not tonight, out of respect for his children who wish to allow the truth to be laid out.

For the same reason I watched the harrowing documentary about the French woman, Gisele Pelicot, who very bravely agreed to the details of what she suffered come to light.

However difficult we feel these things are, the wishes of the victims have to come first.

If it's upsetting for us, imagine what the victims went through.

It was BlueBelle's post that I found upsetting GG. You're right about the importance of this documentary but it isn't something everyone can watch, and no one should be judged for not doing so.

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.

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.

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.

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

I wont be able to watch it either.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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?

Absolutely dreadful. Covered up by the Church.

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.