The National Safeguarding Team (NST) of the Church of England, announced that it has initiated disciplinary proceedings against 10 members of the clergy who failured to expose the sexual abuse perpetrated by lawyer John Smyth.

The announcement concludes a four-stage process considering the actions of clergy named in the Makin review, which denounced that Smyth had subjected over 100 boys and young men to “traumatic physical, sexual, psychological and spiritual” abuse over 40 years.

That review led to the resignation of lastest Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby for what he acknowledged was his “personal and institutional responsibility”.

An archbishop among the disciplined

“This has been a rigorous and independent process to look at whether those named present any immediate risk and consider whether there is a case for disciplinary proceedings under the Clergy Discipline Measure”, the NST says in the statement.

They assure that “it has been undertaken with recommendations of an independent panel and reviewed by an independent barrister”.

Among those facing action are former Archbishop of Canterbury George Carey,  former Bishop of Durham Paul Butler, and Rev Andrew Cornes, who was to be on the committee in charge of choosing the next Archbishop of Canterbury.

Although the Makin review “criticised” dozens of clergy said to have known of Smyth’s abuse, “the process has concluded that there is insufficient evidence to meet the threshold for instituting disciplinary proceedings at this time”.

What’s next?

The NST is in charge of bringing disciplinary proceedings under the Clergy Discipline Measure, but they “must get permission from the President of the Tribunals”, because all 10 cases are considered “out of time”, and this “will be done by the National Director of Safeguarding, Alexander Kubeyinje”, explains the statement.

Each application will be considered separately. Decisions are expected within the next eight to ten weeks.

Penalties vary from a rebuke to removal from office, limited prohibition, or prohibition for life.

In addition to this process, right after the launching of the Makin review, the dioceses in which the ten clergy reside conducted risk assessments about their safety to minister, coming to different conclusions.

Permission to officiate was withdrawn from some; some were asked to step back from ministry; and some have denied knowledge of Smyth’s abuse or its severity.

Victims and survivors

The Church of England also points oit that “victims and survivors and all those criticised in the Makin review have been informed, and support offered”.

“We must not forget that at heart of this case are the survivors and victims who have endured the lifelong effects of the appalling abuse by John Smyth, we are truly sorry”, stresses Kubeyinje.

“We know this will never undo the harm caused, but the Church is committed to taking very seriously its response to the findings of the review as well as responding to its recommendations”, he concludes.