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Evangelical Leader Abused 130 Boys, Escaped Justice

12/10/2025

33 3 Full Breakdown

Center

Smyth's Abuse Exposed

Fiona Rugg, daughter of John Smyth QC, revealed that Smyth abused 130 boys under the pretense of spiritual discipline.
Smyth, an evangelical Christian, used violent canings and framed the abuse as punishment for sins.
An internal church review in 1982 acknowledged the brutality, yet officials allowed him to evade justice.
Smyth died in 2018 without accountability, leaving a legacy of trauma for his victims.

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Welby Resigns Accountability

The Makin Review revealed that John Smyth abused more than 130 boys and that many cases were covered up by church officials.
The review indicates Smyth may have faced justice in 2013 if Archbishop Justin Welby had alerted authorities.
Welby announced his resignation after the report's release.
A petition demanding his resignation collected more than 11,500 signatures.
Victims are calling for accountability from senior clergy involved in the scandal.

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Smyth's Abuse Exposed

Fiona Rugg, daughter of John Smyth QC, revealed that Smyth abused 130 boys under the pretense of spiritual discipline.
Smyth, an evangelical Christian, used violent canings and framed the abuse as punishment for sins.
An internal church review in 1982 acknowledged the brutality, yet officials allowed him to evade justice.
Smyth died in 2018 without accountability, leaving a legacy of trauma for his victims.

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