London, December 13, 2025
John Smyth, a British barrister and evangelical Christian leader, abused between 115 and 130 boys and young men over four decades in the UK and South Africa. A 2024 Church of England independent review exposed the abuse and institutional cover-up, prompting Archbishop Justin Welby’s resignation.
Details of Abuse and Institutional Failures
The Makin Review, commissioned by the Church of England and published in 2024, revealed John Smyth’s sustained physical, sexual, psychological, and spiritual abuse spanning more than forty years. Smyth’s victims were mostly students associated with Winchester College and evangelical groups across the United Kingdom and South Africa. His abuses included beatings with objects such as table tennis bats, forcing victims to strip naked, compelling them to swim or shower together, and inappropriate physical contact including one case of genital grabbing.
One notorious incident occurred in 1982 in South Africa, when Smyth beat 16-year-old Andy Morse so severely it prompted an investigation into possible culpable homicide. Although formal charges were not pursued, Morse later became vocal in holding church leaders accountable for failing to address and prevent such abuse.
The review described Smyth’s actions as an “open secret” within certain conservative evangelical circles, where beliefs and values contributed to a culture of silence and denial. This environment enabled Smyth to evade justice and remain active despite ongoing allegations.
Church of England Response and Leadership Accountability
The Makin Review firmly condemned Smyth as “an appalling abuser” and highlighted how his family also suffered abuse. Beyond exposés, the report criticized church authorities who, influenced by powerful evangelical clergy, systematically failed to act. The fallout led to Archbishop Justin Welby resigning his position on November 12, 2024, acknowledging his role in the church’s insufficient response to the scandal.
Survivors like Andy Morse have continued to share their experiences publicly, urging heightened vigilance and reforms within religious institutions. Their testimonies underscore the persistent demand for transparency and justice.
Context Within Global Clergy Abuse Scandals
Though distinct from the well-documented Catholic Church abuse crises, the Smyth case echoes broader systemic issues prevalent in religious institutions worldwide: long-term abuse covered up by those in power. Similar patterns emerged in the Boston Catholic abuse scandal involving Fr. John Geoghan, who abused more than 130 boys over 30 years before exposure by investigative journalism prompted Cardinal Bernard Law’s resignation.
Recent legal developments in the United States, such as a $5 million jury verdict against a New Jersey Catholic school and a $27.5 million settlement by the Brooklyn Diocese, further illustrate ongoing repercussions for clergy abuse. Additionally, the Pennsylvania grand jury report revealed that over 300 priests abused more than 1,000 children in a 70-year span, paralleling the scale and institutional failures seen in Smyth’s case.
Ongoing Calls for Reform and Accountability
The John Smyth scandal highlights deep-rooted institutional weaknesses within conservative evangelical circles, calling attention to the urgent need for safeguarding reforms and cultural change. As the Church of England and other religious bodies reckon with these revelations, the global community of policymakers, business leaders, and academics remains watchful of progress toward justice and protection for vulnerable individuals.
Accountability measures following Smyth’s exposure serve as a critical reminder of the responsibility religious and public institutions bear in preventing abuse and ensuring transparent responses when breaches occur. The enduring voices of survivors continue to drive momentum for systemic change.