Justin Welby
Justin Welby has announced his resignation as Archbishop of Canterbury. His decision comes after pressure over his handling of an abuse scandal. There have been many calls from victims and church members for him to step down. This follows a recent report on how the Church mishandled abuse cases related to John Smyth.
Smyth is accused of abusing around 130 boys in the late 1970s and early 80s in the UK, Zimbabwe, and South Africa. Church officials did not act for years, allowing Smyth to continue his abusive behavior abroad. A review published last week found that Welby was informed of the abuse in 2013 but did not take appropriate action.
Welby has expressed deep remorse for his role in this situation. He acknowledged that his inaction caused more harm to victims and pledged to meet with them before he steps down. While his resignation addresses accountability, critics say it does not solve deeper issues in the Church.
Many bishops were aware of Smyth’s abuse and failed to act. The Church of England has faced criticism for its handling of abuse cases for a long time. Alan Collins, a lawyer for some victims, said the focus should be on the needs of those affected by the abuse.
Welby’s resignation came amid increased pressure from church officials and advocates for victims. A petition calling for him to resign received over 13,000 signatures. Welby sought the king’s approval before making his decision.
His resignation follows Keir Starmer’s refusal to publicly support him. The Church now faces the challenge of rebuilding trust and addressing longstanding issues of abuse and cover-up.
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