The Archbishop of Canterbury has issued a “full personal apology” to the survivors of abuse by former barrister John Smyth QC in the 1970s and 80s.
Smyth, who died aged 77 in 2018, violently beat boys who attended Christian summer camps.
Justin Welby said: “I am sorry this was done in the name of Jesus Christ by a perverted version of spirituality and evangelicalism.”
Survivors who recently met Mr Welby welcomed him “taking responsibility”.
In a statement issued by Lambeth Palace, the archbishop said: “I continue to hear new details of the abuse and my sorrow, shock and horror grows.
“The Church has a duty to look after those who have been harmed. We have not always done that well.”
He said the Church’s safeguarding team will investigate every clergyperson which they suspect “knew and failed to disclose the abuse”.
Mr Welby worked in the evangelical Christian camps for public schoolboys run by Smyth, but denies any knowledge of the abuse at the time.
Archbishop of Canterbury issues 'personal apology' over charity abuse https://t.co/iYKzoO60Fe
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