Justin Welby, the Archbishop of Canterbury, has resigned following the publication of a critical report exposing the Church of England’s cover-up of child abuse by John Smyth, a former barrister and Christian charity leader.
Welby acknowledged his failure to properly address Smyth’s abuse, which spanned decades.
“I have sought the gracious permission of His Majesty The King, and after much reflection, I have decided to resign,” Welby said.
“The Makin Review has revealed the Church’s longstanding silence regarding the horrific abuses of John Smyth. I take full responsibility for the failure to act.”
The Makin Review, published last week, found that Smyth, a senior member of the Iwerne Trust, abused over 100 boys and young men during the 1970s and 1980s.
The Church did not alert the police until 2013, despite an internal investigation by the Iwerne Trust in 1982 that uncovered the abuse.
Welby, who first learned of the allegations in 2013, admitted that he wrongly assumed the situation would be resolved.
“I should have ensured a thorough investigation,” he stated, accepting responsibility for the Church’s delayed response.
The Makin report also revealed Welby’s past connection to Smyth, having met him at Christian camps in the late 1970s.
While Welby said he was impressed by Smyth’s intellect, they were not close.
He also recalled making donations to Smyth’s ministry in Zimbabwe but could not recall the specifics.
In his resignation, Welby expressed deep sorrow for the victims and emphasized his commitment to improving safeguarding within the Church.
He also acknowledged the personal toll the scandal had on his family.
The Church now faces the challenge of selecting a new Archbishop, a process expected to take several months.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer has expressed respect for Welby’s decision, and Church leaders have called for continued reflection and reform within the institution.
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