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UK News

Bishop says he is survivor of alleged abuse by John Smyth

by Antony Bushfield

Bishop of Guildford, Andrew Watson, claimed he was only targeted once but that it was "violent, excruciating and shocking".

Last week the Archbishop of Canterbury apologised after allegations emerged against Smyth, who he once worked with at a holiday camp for teenage boys.

Most Rev Justin Welby insisted he was "completely unaware" of the claims that John Smyth, a former leader at the Iwerne camp, had been abusing boys.

Justice Alliance of South Africa

Claims against Smyth were uncovered by Channel 4 News. He is a prominent QC and part-time judge, now based in South Africa.

"I'm not talking about that," he said when approached by the broadcaster.

In a statement Bishop Andrew said: "I am one of the survivors of John Smyth's appalling activities in the late 1970s and early '80s."

He said being a bishop had put him in a "unique and challenging position" and that he had been to the police.

"My profoundest prayers are with all those affected by this, and my heartfelt desire is that lessons might be learnt so this never happens again," he said.

Guildford Cathedral

"I am grateful to the Archbishop of Canterbury for his apology to survivors on behalf of the Church, and don't begin to believe that he knew anything of Smyth's violent activities until his office was informed in 2013.

"I would also like to express the concern of myself and some of my fellow survivors that we are seen as people and not used as pawns in some political or religious game.

"Abusers espouse all theologies and none; and absolutely nothing that happened in the Smyth shed was the natural fruit of any Christian theology that I've come across before or since.

"It was abuse perpetrated by a misguided, manipulative and dangerous man, tragically playing on the longing of his young victims to live godly lives."

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