Justin Welby says he 'forgives' John Smyth

No, it’s not a “ rubbish religion”. However, what is wrong is the amount of abuse being uncovered done by people who are supposed to be there as guides and supporters in the faith to the congregation, and the lack of prompt and adequate action to deal with it - that is the rubbish part, and these individuals need bringing to account for their actions, and the ones failing to act also need bringing to account. To say the religion itself is rubbish is pretty unkind and hurtful to all who follow the faith, and frankly, unhelpful.

I think there are many reasons to judge Welby, I don't think this is one of them. It is part of his faith to forgive presumably any crime. I don't subscribe to that but I understand that there are people who do.

It's an inner prejudice, from being raised a Catholic which I put my hands up to and God knows there's enough wrong with that religion, but I can't help finding some of the spiritual leaders of the CofE so wet and uninspiring.

As you say Monica, it's not his place to forgive only the abused can do that.

I happened to watch the Laura Kuensberg interview on tv this morning and when he said he could forgive Smyth i thought bad idea, he had hesitated a second so had time to think but still said yes.. He followed this with something along the lines of the victims had every right not to. Quite so. Obviously!
He has said and done some foolish and irresponsible things and will be remembered as the first ever A of C to be forced to resign. Rightly so in my opinion.
The interview rather reminded me of P.Andrews unfortunate one.

I wonder of the victims are so forgiving. Easy for him to say that.

Pretty rubbish religion

After seeing him forgive John Smith I thought of all the fire and brimstone
preachers who think hell is justice for all people who don't know Jesus as they say and haven't been born again These people don't question why God wouldn't forgive someone who had never heard of him and might even be kind ok people But Smith was probably amongst the saved and maybe even born again