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Welby [former Archbishop]: I forgive serial abuser John Smyth
BBC ^ | March 30 | Laura Kuenssberg and Sean Seddon

Posted on 03/30/2025 11:09:47 AM PDT by RandFan

Justin Welby has told the BBC he forgives a serial abuser at the heart of a scandal that led to his resignation as Archbishop of Canterbury.

In his first interview since quitting in November last year, Welby said his forgiveness of John Smyth - arguably the most prolific abuser associated with the Church of England - was "irrelevant" and it was more important to help victims "rebuild their lives".

Smyth, who died in 2018, attacked more than 100 boys and young men in the UK and Africa over decades.

A damning 2024 review found Welby "could and should" have done more to bring Smyth to justice, which the former archbishop said he feels a "deep sense of personal failure" over.

(Excerpt) Read more at bbc.co.uk ...


TOPICS: Miscellaneous; News/Current Events; United Kingdom
KEYWORDS:

1 posted on 03/30/2025 11:09:47 AM PDT by RandFan
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To: RandFan

I wouldn’t forgive Welby.


2 posted on 03/30/2025 11:15:30 AM PDT by mairdie
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To: RandFan

“Smyth, who died in 2018, attacked more than 100 boys and young men...”


But no women and girls, so I guess that means John Smith was...?


3 posted on 03/30/2025 11:22:46 AM PDT by hanamizu ( )
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To: RandFan

How can you forgive someone for crimes not against you?

This is not biblical.


4 posted on 03/30/2025 11:22:58 AM PDT by ConservativeMind (Trump: Befuddling Democrats, Republicans, and the Media for the benefit of the US and all mankind.)
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To: RandFan

Unless Welby was one of the hundreds of boys Smyth sexually abused, he has no say in this matter.


5 posted on 03/30/2025 11:24:09 AM PDT by Responsibility2nd (Nobody elected Elon Musk? Well nobody elected the Deep State either.)
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To: RandFan

Welby forgives himself. As the CofE withers.


6 posted on 03/30/2025 11:28:32 AM PDT by Worldtraveler once upon a time (Degrow government)
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To: RandFan

So Smyth abused Welby?

Rhetorical question requiring no response.


7 posted on 03/30/2025 11:41:10 AM PDT by E. Pluribus Unum (Democrats are the Party of anger, hate and violence.)
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To: ConservativeMind

Exactly. Only his victims can forgive him.

No *official* pronouncement by some clergy means anything.


8 posted on 03/30/2025 12:58:33 PM PDT by metmom (He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon." Amen. Come, Lord Jesus)
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To: RandFan

Did Welby equate himself to God that he has the authority to forgive sins?


9 posted on 03/30/2025 1:23:42 PM PDT by paudio (MATH: 45<47)
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To: RandFan

Did he ask for forgiveness and repent?

If not forgiveness is not only meaningless but decidedly un-Christian.

L


10 posted on 03/30/2025 1:25:23 PM PDT by Lurker ( Peaceful coexistence with the Left is not possible. Stop pretending that it is.)
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To: RandFan

Justin Welby has resigned as Archbishop of Canterbury after facing increasing pressure to stand down over his failure to report prolific child abuser John Smyth.

And now he’s forgiving him? Something not right with this picture.


11 posted on 03/31/2025 7:32:33 AM PDT by Beowulf9 ( )
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