Statement to South African media on Church of England abuse report

The Archbishop's office has received requests for comment by South African news outlets suggesting that he and the Diocese of Cape Town failed to act on allegations of abuse in South Africa by the Briton, John Smyth, the subject of reports that he committed horrendous abuse in the UK and Zimbabwe. Neither the UK nor Zimbabwe are under the jurisdiction of the Anglican Church of Southern Africa.

Bishopscourt issued the following immediate response today. A more comprehensive response from the Archbishop, dealing more broadly with the church's response to abuse, is forthcoming.

 Statement by Archbishop Thabo Makgoba on abuse by John Smyth: 

“One of our bishops in Cape Town received a letter in 2013 from an English bishop, outlining instances of past abuse committed by Smyth in the UK and Zimbabwe. The letter said Smyth was living at an address in Bergvliet but the English bishop did not know where or whether he might be attending church. No allegations of abuse committed in South Africa were made. 

“The local bishop concerned was told by St Martin's Church in Bergvliet that Smyth had worshipped in their church previously... [Note] St Martin's reported that Smyth neither counselled young people, nor were any allegations of abuse or grooming made against Smyth by any member.

“I became aware of the matter in 2017, when Channel Four in the UK broadcast an expose of Smyth's abuse. Since no allegations of abuse within the jurisdiction of the Anglican Church of Southern Africa were made, and Smyth had not been worshipping at an Anglican Church in South Africa for many years, no disciplinary action by the church or criminal complaint to the police was possible.

“In 2020, I learned that before Smyth's death in 2018, he had asked to worship again at St Martin's. They had permitted him to attend services on condition that he was not to get involved in any ministry or contact any young person. He attended services there in the final months of his life.

“The Anglican Church of Southern Africa is an autonomous church of the Anglican Communion, whose laws and governance are independent of those of the Church of England. I and our bishops are accountable only to our own church's members to ensure that all our churches are safe spaces within which to worship and minister.

“We have a Safe and Inclusive Church Commission whose operations are explained here: https://anglicanchurchsa.org/safe-church-guide/ The Commission acts vigorously and pro-actively – sometimes to the discomfort of our leaders – in response to reports of abuse. Victims of abuse can report it confidentially to: safechurches@anglicanchurchsa.org.za. 

“While no evidence has been forthcoming as to whether John Smyth committed any abuse in South Africa, I believe it necessary that our church ought to consider establishing an inquiry to advise on whether the Diocese of Cape Town, and I personally, have acted in this matter in accordance with our obligations to keep our members safe. To that end, I am seeking advice from our church's Chancellors and Registrars, who give us legal advice, and the Safe and Inclusive Church Commission.”

[Note: The original post of this statement said Smyth had been at St Martin's "for a year or two when he came to Cape Town" and that, from  the Makin report, "it appears this must have been before 2005." This was wrong. Correspondence received at Bishopscourt after the issue of the statement indicates he was at St Martin's at a later date, and resigned in December 2013.]