In a historic move, Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby has announced his resignation, following increasing pressure over his handling of reports surrounding prolific child abuse within the Church.
The resignation comes in the wake of the Makin Review, which uncovered a long-standing cover-up of abuse perpetrated by John Smyth. Despite being informed of the allegations in 2013, Welby admitted that he had wrongly believed the matter would be addressed by the authorities and that justice would be served.
In his resignation statement, Welby expressed deep regret for the church’s failure to act promptly, acknowledging the trauma caused by the delayed response. He also pledged that his departure marks a commitment to significant institutional change within the Church of England.
“I must take personal and institutional responsibility for the long and retraumatising period between 2013 and 2024,” Welby said. He further clarified that the exact timing of his departure would be determined after a review of obligations within both the Church and the Anglican Communion.
The Archbishop’s resignation underscores the Church’s ongoing effort to confront its past and ensure the safety of its members moving forward.
