Church abuse report should 'shake us to the core'

The Bishop of Chelmsford, Reverend Dr Guli Francis-Dehqani, said the findings from the review into John Smyth QC and the Church of England brought her "shame and deep sadness"

The Bishop of Chelmsford said the findings from the review into a serial abuser in the Church of England "should shake us to the core".

Reverend Dr Guli Francis-Dehqani was reacting to a report which concluded that John Smyth QC's abuse of more than 100 children and young men was covered up within the Church of England.

The Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby resigned on Tuesday.

Dr Francis Dehqani said the Archbishop had taken "responsibility for his failures".

"We need to continue to get better at hearing the voices of victims, there is no doubt about that," she told BBC Essex.

"We have to do everything we possibly can, and this is just a frightening reminder of how important that task continues to be."

The Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby announced he was stepping down from his position on Tuesday

The independent review from Keith Makin, who was a director in social services, found that Mr Smyth, a barrister, was abusing boys who he had met at Christian summer camps in the 1970s and 80s.

Mr Welby "could and should" have reported the abuse to police in 2013, the review said.

Mr Smyth was a senior member of Christian charity, the Iwerne Trust, and is believed to be the most prolific serial abuser associated with the Church of England.

Dr Francis-Dehqani, who has served as Bishop of Chelmsford since April 2021, said: "It is a very sad day for a whole range of reasons.

"First and foremost, I think in all our minds are the victims and those for whom the traumas will be reopened in the events of recent days and for the horrific things that went over many years.

"Like many others it has been with shame and deep sadness that I have read the recent Makin review."

She added: "We all have to take responsibility for creating a safer culture in the church."