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Smyth was a British attorney who “attacked boys who he met at Christian summer camps in the 1970s and 1980s” and is “believed to be the most prolific serial abuser associated with the Church of England,” theBBCreported.
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“When I was informed in 2013 and told that police had been notified, I believed wrongly that an appropriate resolution would follow. It is very clear that I must take personal and institutional responsibility for the long and retraumatizing period between 2013 and 2024,” he continued.
“It is my duty to honor my Constitutional and church responsibilities, so exact timings will be decided once a review of necessary obligations has been completed, including those in England and in the Anglican Communion,” he said. “I hope this decision makes clear how seriously the Church of England understands the need for change and our profound commitment to creating a safer church. As I step down I do so in sorrow with all victims and survivors of abuse.”
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“The last few days have renewed my long felt and profound sense of shame at the historic safeguarding failures of the Church of England. For nearly twelve years I have struggled to introduce improvements. It is for others to judge what has been done,” he said. “In the meantime, I will follow through on my commitment to meet victims. I will delegate all my other current responsibilities for safeguarding until the necessary risk assessment process is complete.”
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He became a Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order in May 2024 for his pivotal role at the coronation of King Charles andQueen Camilla, and appeared at the State Opening of Parliament over the summer.
The Archbishoppreviously spokeabout struggling with depression, and thanked Prince William for his work in highlighting mental health in an editorial forThe Sunday Timesin 2020.
If you or someone you know has been a victim of sexual abuse, text “STRENGTH” to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 to be connected to a certified crisis counselor.
source: people.com