The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, has announced his resignation following criticism of his handling of a child abuse case involving John Smyth, a deceased British lawyer linked to the Church of England. The independent review revealed a disturbing pattern of deference to Smyth and a subsequent cover-up of his heinous abuses.
Welby expressed regret in his resignation statement, acknowledging his failure to address the situation appropriately when first informed in 2013. The report detailed Smyth's traumatic abuse of numerous boys and young men, including attendees of Christian summer camps he organized.
The review also highlighted the church's failure to prevent further abuse despite being aware of Smyth's actions. Welby, who had connections to Smyth through the summer camps, admitted to not pursuing the allegations vigorously enough when he assumed his role as Archbishop in 2013.
The report noted a missed opportunity in 2012 and 2013 to report Smyth to law enforcement properly. While it remains uncertain if Welby was fully aware of the extent of the abuses before 2013, the review suggested he likely had some knowledge of Smyth's concerning behavior.
Welby's resignation marks a significant moment in the Church of England's history, as there has been no previous instance of an Archbishop of Canterbury stepping down over a child abuse scandal. The exact timeline for Welby's departure is yet to be determined, pending a review of his obligations within England and the Anglican Communion.
