John Smyth, Church Scandal, Channel 4 9pm

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 watch it. I feel sort of voyeuristic and it upsets me.

He was a barrister I think?

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

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

It will be a difficult watch.😖

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

Horrifying. Those poor wee boys. What a beast.

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

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

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