Bishop of Guildford 'grateful' to well-wishers

Bishop Watson said he was 'deeply grateful to all who have reached out to me'

A bishop who said he was abused by the man at the centre of a row which led to the resignation of the Archbishop of Canterbury has thanked well-wishers who have contacted him.

The Right Reverend Andrew Watson, Bishop of Guildford, said he was "deeply grateful for all who have reached out to me over the course of the past week, and for your concern and prayers".

Bishop Watson said in 2017 he had endured a "violent, excruciating and shocking" beating at the hands of barrister John Smyth.

In a statement released on Wednesday he said: "My prayers remain first and foremost with my fellow victims of Smyth’s abuse."

He added: "I am personally aware that this is a time of heightened emotion for many (which I share), as the depth of Smyth's brutality has been so clearly revealed; and I pray for some kind of closure for those who have waited so long for it."

The Makin Review into the Church of England’s handling of allegations of serious abuse by Smyth was published earlier this month.

The report detailed abuse of around 130 boys and young men that took place over several decades.

The Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby resigned on Tuesday saying he must take "personal and institutional responsibility" for the church knowing about the abuse.

John Smyth was a senior member of Christian charity the Iwerne Trust in the 1970s and 1980s

Bishop Watson said of the Archbishop's resignation: "His decision to step down has equally shown a willingness to take responsibility for the wider Church's failings, and to demonstrate the seriousness of his commitment to those who have suffered as a result."

The bishop said he would "encourage us all to redouble our efforts" in regard to safeguarding practices.

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