Anglican Church to implement nationwide abuse prevention network

The Anglican Church has announced plans to establish a nationwide network of officials dedicated to ensuring the safety and protection of congregants from abuse.

Archbishop Thabo Makgoba made the announcement on Thursday following a meeting of the church’s synod of bishops. The move comes in response to past failures in safeguarding church members, particularly in the wake of the John Smyth abuse scandal.

Background: The John Smyth Case

The church’s decision follows an internal inquiry into its failure to warn congregants in 2013 about the presence of John Smyth, a British expatriate who was known to have abused dozens of boys and young men in Britain and Zimbabwe during the 1980s and 1990s.

Smyth, a former church leader, had a long history of abuse spanning multiple countries, and his actions went unchecked for years. Reports indicate that he subjected victims to severe physical beatings and psychological manipulation, often under the guise of religious discipline.

The church’s lack of adequate response to the issue led to widespread criticism, prompting a reassessment of its policies on safeguarding and abuse prevention.

New Safeguarding Measures

In response to past shortcomings, Archbishop Makgoba outlined a series of new safeguarding measures aimed at strengthening abuse prevention and ensuring accountability within the church.

1. Appointment of Safe Church Officers

One of the key steps in the initiative is the appointment of “safe church officers” in every congregation. These officers will be responsible for:

• Providing support to potential victims of abuse.
• Monitoring the conduct of church leaders and members.
• Ensuring that church policies on abuse prevention are properly implemented.

According to Makgoba, this nationwide network of officers will act as a critical safeguard to prevent future abuses within the church.

2. Preventing Abusers from Moving Between Churches

Another major policy adopted by the bishops is a new protocol to ensure that individuals accused of abuse cannot move freely between different churches without warning.

In the past, church members or leaders facing allegations of misconduct were sometimes able to leave one congregation and join another without any formal disclosure of their past actions.

The new measures will close this loophole by ensuring that any credible accusations or investigations are properly documented and shared with relevant church authorities.

3. Establishment of a Church Commission on Abuse

To further support victims of abuse and handle sensitive cases effectively, the Anglican Church has also set up a dedicated commission of specialists.

This commission will:

• Investigate abuse claims thoroughly and transparently.
• Offer professional support to survivors.
• Provide guidance on improving safeguarding policies.

By creating this commission, the church aims to build trust among its members and show its commitment to protecting the vulnerable.

Archbishop Makgoba’s Commitment to Change

Archbishop Makgoba emphasized that these reforms are part of the church’s broader mission to create a safe and inclusive environment for all congregants.

“We recognize the failures of the past, and we are taking concrete steps to ensure they are not repeated,” he said.

He also acknowledged that the church’s handling of previous abuse cases had been inadequate, and that the new measures were long overdue.

Moving Forward: A Culture of Accountability

The Anglican Church’s decision to implement a structured abuse prevention network reflects a growing commitment to accountability and transparency within religious institutions.

By appointing dedicated safeguarding officers, preventing accused abusers from moving freely, and establishing a professional support commission, the church is taking important steps to prevent future harm.

For many survivors and advocates, these measures represent a necessary shift towards a more responsible and protective church community. However, ongoing vigilance and strong enforcement of these policies will be crucial to ensuring their effectiveness in the long run.