Not a good advert for the church of England, was it? The problem with many senior makes in any organisation that none of them were prepared to take the first step in calling Smythe out, as they were probably too focussed on climbing the career ladder and didn't won't to rock the boat. At least the women bishops have recognised the seriousness of the omission to deal with Smythe and the injustice to his victims.
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Farewell and good riddance
(111 Posts)Did any other GN's find Justin Welby's farewell speech to the House of Lords tasteless?
He looked as if he was in cabaret, cracking jokes and smiling at his audience. He clearly feels he has been a scapegoat in this appalling episode concerning John Smythe and has been pushed when he didn't intend to jump. No contrition, no sympathy mentioned to the victims.
I noticed the only Bishop who looked appalled at this was the female Bishop of London who had her head in her hands while the row of male Bishops behind Welby were chucking away at his witticisms, with one, slapping his knees in enjoyment.
It doesn't bode well for future cases of this kind and there will be some, if the behaviour of the Bishops bar one yesterday show the true feeling of the Church towards paedophilia.
Marina Hyde doesn’t waste words, an excellent article
Susieq62
Read an article by Marina Hyde on this subject! She puts Welby in his place!!!!
Most certainly worth a read, thanks for the recommendation here's a link
www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2024/dec/06/justin-welby-archbishop-of-canterbury-victims-of-abuse
Great description.
Totally agree, instead of contrition we got smiles and jokes, the man was a disgrace to his position and we are well rid.
I heard him interviewed recently on The Rest is Politics and I came away feeling that the word smug best described him. Nothing that has happened since has led me to change my mind.
I never liked Welby, I always thought of him as arrogant and out of touch and after seeing his performance the other day I was utterly disgusted and appalled. What a horrible, nasty shallow and insensitive man he and all the bishops around him are. They behaved as if they were at a Cabaret show with the only exception was the one lady who had her head down and her hands over her face.
I’m so glad I cannot call myself a Christian as all these awful things that Church people are guilty of would have stripped me of my faith I’m sure. Why is it that the likes of Welty can call themselves “ Christian “ but have nowhere near the kindness and compassion for fellow man that the most ordinary of us have in abundance ? I hope if there is a hell that these most unchristian people will go there. This has made a usually calm person feel really wound up and I apologise for my strong stance.
I agree with many here. I’ve never liked him - too busy expressing his opinions about other matters other than religion whilst enjoying all the razzmatazz occasions where he’s a major player- very arrogant and unhumble - if there is such a word. He should take some lessons from the Argentinian Pope - who is in my humble opinion, a wonderful humble man - I’m not catholic by the way - but just watched him meet those pilgrims who met him after their long trek on the television programme. He was a quiet gentle inspiration.
Jeanathome
TyneAngel
The Bishop of Newcastle, the only one to call out Justin Welby, was interviewed on the 'Sunday' programme on Radio 4 last Sunday week, 1st December. She said she'd been ostracised, ignored, sidelined etc by every other bishop. She suggested it was out of cowardice, fear or not wishing to jeopardise their future promotion prospects. She also said a number of ministers etc lower down the pecking named in the report had been relieved of their duties, while no other bishop has resigned or been sanctioned. And no mention of Jesus Christ in all of this,,,,,
This ghastly dynamic plays out all over the land. I once called out a Care Agency for neglect. My hours were suddenly cut.
You need to be courageous to whistleblow.. good for you Jeanathome
These Church men are so misogenistic and clannish.. only the 2 women Bishops can hold their heads up high
TyneAngel
The Bishop of Newcastle, the only one to call out Justin Welby, was interviewed on the 'Sunday' programme on Radio 4 last Sunday week, 1st December. She said she'd been ostracised, ignored, sidelined etc by every other bishop. She suggested it was out of cowardice, fear or not wishing to jeopardise their future promotion prospects. She also said a number of ministers etc lower down the pecking named in the report had been relieved of their duties, while no other bishop has resigned or been sanctioned. And no mention of Jesus Christ in all of this,,,,,
This ghastly dynamic plays out all over the land. I once called out a Care Agency for neglect. My hours were suddenly cut.
The Bishop of Newcastle, the only one to call out Justin Welby, was interviewed on the 'Sunday' programme on Radio 4 last Sunday week, 1st December. She said she'd been ostracised, ignored, sidelined etc by every other bishop. She suggested it was out of cowardice, fear or not wishing to jeopardise their future promotion prospects. She also said a number of ministers etc lower down the pecking named in the report had been relieved of their duties, while no other bishop has resigned or been sanctioned. And no mention of Jesus Christ in all of this,,,,,
I was disappointed that nobody flounced off about cow farts, I must say.
It was just a lot of hot air. 🤭
Bit disappointed this wasn’t a dramatic ‘flounce’ thread.
I didn't see it, everything I have heard about organised religion in recent years has convinced me that I am right to stick to my totally no religion stance. They have all had so many appalling deeds and coverups unearthed it's beyond me that anybody should have any sort of faith in them.
Badly misjudged speech. Shameful.
I never took to him as Archbishop of Canterbury, always felt there was something lacking. That maybe because I’m not CoE but I never felt inspired by him in the same way I have listening to other senior clerics.
What little sympathy I had for him has been shredded. He did not take the fall because he was the boss; he was specifically criticised in the Makin report.
TakeThat7
But why is he still in the House of lords can't they take a lordship away and what use are all those bishops in the lords dressed in their ridicolous robes Sack them and let the public vote for new lords why do they make deciçions with so little life experience
In this day and age I cannot for the life of me understand why there are Bishops in the HoL at all. Kick them out!
That sums up my feelngs, too.
He's a complete disgrace not just to the church but to mankind as a whole. How he could joke about such a serious matter and not apologise for his inaction, which must have caused so much harm and distress to so many, is beyond belief. So totally arrogant and unrepentant and lacking in even basic humility. A good time to abolish the clergy from the House of Lords, history has proved too many of the clergy are involved in vile practices or the covering up of same.
I worked in finance for a cathedral, and had to do very significant amounts of safeguarding training. Welby was generally loathed by the wider church community, who really felt he'd been installed on a false premise.
Justin Wilby has forgotten that he should be a servant of God. He should practice humility and repentence.
Read an article by Marina Hyde on this subject! She puts Welby in his place!!!!
His speech was full of self pity and tasteless jokes which appealed to the patriarchy (because that's who runs the church) and of which he is an integral part. I actually couldn't believe what I was hearing. I think most of them probably need to go.
As a nonconformist a dog collar is enough for me but I do treasure the clothes I wore to the DC’s weddings.
Like the Bishop of London I thought his speech was dreadful
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