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THIS is the timeline of what Justin Welby, who resigned as the Archbishop of Canterbury on Tuesday, knew of the abuse and when, according to the Makin Review.
1970s
In 1975, 1976, 1977 and 1978 Justin Welby attends summer Christian Iwerne camps. John Smyth abused children in the 1970s and 1980s while he was a leader at the Iwerne Trust camps, during the same years Mr Welby attended.
1981
Around Easter that year, Smyth takes four victims on a ski trip to Switzerland, visiting St Michael’s Church in Paris on the way there and the way back. The church rector, the Rev Peter Sertin, later warns Mr Welby about Smyth, saying: “One of the boys had a chat with me”, and advises him to stay away from Smyth.
1982
The first report into Smyth’s abuse, known as the Ruston Report, is written and shown to a “small group” of people only. Mr Welby is not among them.
1991
Mr Welby is ordained as a deacon in the Church of England.
March 21 2013
Mr Welby is installed as Archbishop of Canterbury in a service at Canterbury Cathedral. His appointment was announced in late 2012.
July 2013
A victim contacts the Bishop of Ely’s safeguarding adviser with details of the abuse he has suffered at the hands of Smyth.
August 2013
Mr Welby is made aware of the allegations of abuse against Smyth, in his capacity as Archbishop of Canterbury.
August 8 2013
Mr Welby confirms he knew Smyth in the 1970s and requests contact be made with the Iwerne Trust regarding who is running the camps now.
February 2017
An investigative 30-minute documentary aired on Channel 4 makes Smyth’s abuse public. Mr Welby issues a statement and appears on LBC radio shortly after, stating his intention is for victims’ interests to come forward and confirming his knowledge of the abuse since 2013.
August 11 2018
Smyth dies aged 75 in Cape Town while under investigation by Hampshire Police. Police had been planning on questioning Smyth over allegations that he beat children in the 1970s and 1980s while he was a leader at the Iwerne Trust camps. Officers in Hampshire had passed a preliminary file to the Crown Prosecution Service and were preparing to ask him to return voluntarily to the UK for questioning.
April 2021
Mr Welby meets with survivors, four years after the Channel 4 documentary first aired.
November 7 2024
The Makin Review is published, concluding that Smyth’s “abhorrent” abuse of more than 100 children and young men was covered up within the Church of England for years. – www.independent.co.uk
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