“I am numbed and deeply saddened at losing an Archbishop who is
much loved across the Anglican Communion, but his courageous decision
to accept accountability is an important step towards eradicating,
root and branch, the scandal of abuse in the church worldwide.
“The scandalous abuse of innocent
people, often at the most vulnerable times of their lives, affects us
all. The Anglican church in Cape Town in which John Smyth worshipped
– for a year or two 20 years ago, and again in the final months of
his life – has reported that it never received any reports
suggesting he abused or groomed young people, but there is no room
for complacency.
“For we have had other instances of
abuse in the church in Southern Africa, and it is only in recent
years that we have established a Safe and Inclusive Church
Commission, which is pro-actively pursuing such cases.
“The bishops of Southern Africa join
me in assuring Archbishop Justin and his family of their prayers.
They share my sadness at his resignation and their respect for a
decision reflecting Archbishop Justin's compassion for those affected
by the church’s ills.”
Archbishop Thabo Makgoba
Metropolitan
Anglican Church of Southern Africa
