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Calls for Bishop of Lincoln to resign over Church abuse scandal

November 12, 2024


Diocese of Lincoln Bishop Stephen, who is wearing glasses and is dressed in religious attire, sitting at a pew inside Lincolnshire Cathedral. The nave and a stained glass window can be seen behind him.Diocese of Lincoln

Bishop Stephen Conway was told about John Smyth’s abuse of dozens of boys and young men while in charge of the Diocese of Ely, according to a report

The victim of a sadistic child abuser associated with the Church of England has called on the Bishop of Lincoln to resign.

The man, whom the BBC is not identifying, said the the Right Reverend Stephen Conway did not do enough to bring John Smyth QC to justice.

The victim informed Bishop Stephen’s then diocese of the allegations against Smyth back in 2013, according to a damning report.

“He was the person in a position to stop John Smyth, bring him to justice and he fundamentally failed” he said.

Following the publication of the review by former social services boss Keith Makin, Bishop Stephen apologised.

He said: “In light of the review, I understand that there were further actions I could have taken following my reporting of the disclosures made to us in the Diocese of Ely about John Smyth.

“I am sorry that I did not pursue these actions at that time.”

The report also detailed how the Diocese of Ely then informed the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, of the allegations.

The archbishop is facing mounting pressure to resign after it emerged that he did not follow up rigorously enough on reports of Smyth’s abuse of more than 100 boys and young men.

Blurry image of John Smyth, an elderly man in a striped shirt, speaking to a camera

John Smyth’s ‘sadistic’ abuse may have continued in Africa, despite the Church of England leadership being informed about his behaviour

The Makin report described Smyth’s “clearly sexually motivated, sadistic, regime” of beatings during the 1970s and 80s.

He singled out boys attending Christian camps and in sessions at leading public schools, including Winchester College, before taking them to his home and beating them with a garden cane in his shed.

Some of the victims had to wear adult nappies because of the bleeding they had suffered.

Smyth was able to travel to Zimbabwe and South Africa, where he is alleged to have continued his abuse.

A prominent lawyer as well as a lay preacher, he died in 2018.

PA Media A head-and-shoulders picture of Justin Welby, who is wearing a reverend's collar, a dark grey jacket and glasses, He is looking directly at the camera. PA Media

Justin Welby has acknowledged he did not do enough to pursue the allegations against John Smyth

The victim, who refuses to be referred to as a “survivor”, said of Bishop Stephen’s apology: “I don’t care about his prayers and good wishes”.

“The Makin Review is quite clear about the culpability of Stephen Conway. I don’t care about his prayers, I want his resignation”.

To the Archbishop of Canterbury, he had this message: “Justin – you knew most of the victims. You have refused to meet us for seven years. You bloody coward.”

Justin Welby had recently acknowledged that the review had identified how he had “personally failed to ensure it was energetically investigated”.

The Archbishop said he had considered resigning, but had decided to remain in post.

In a statement, the Diocese of Ely said it was “committed to fully reviewing and implementing all recommendations” of the Makin Review “to ensure the safety and care of all individuals within our church communities”.



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