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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
World
Rosie Shead

‘Culture of silence and fear’ stopping bishops calling out abuse scandal

The Archbishop of Canterbury was first informed about John Smyth’s abuse in 2013 (Gareth Fuller/PA) - (PA Archive)

Members of the clergy are choosing not to call out senior Church of England leaders over the John Smyth abuse scandal because of “a culture of silence and fear”, a bishop has alleged.

In an interview on Sky News’ Sunday Morning with Trevor Phillips, Bishop of Newcastle Dr Helen-Ann Hartley said her fellow bishops may also be staying silent as they are thinking about their own career prospects, after the resignation of the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby.

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