Archbishop Welby resigns after publication of sex abuse report

By Vatican News

Archbishop Justin Welby resigned as Archbishop of Canterbury on Tuesday saying he had failed to ensure there was a proper investigation into allegations of abuse by a volunteer at Christian summer camps decades ago.

Revd Welby, who is also the head of the worldwide Anglican Communion, released a statement in which he said  “Having sought the gracious permission of His Majesty The King, I have decided to resign as Archbishop of Canterbury.”

In his statement, Welby quoted the independent Makin Review that, he said  “has exposed the long-maintained conspiracy of silence about the heinous abuses of John Smyth.”

John Smyth, was a well-known attorney who abused teenage boys and young men at Christian summer camps across Britain, Zimbabwe, and South Africa for over five decades. He died in 2018.

The archbishop said that when he was informed in 2013 and told that police had been notified, he “believed wrongly that an appropriate resolution would follow.”

“It is very clear that I must take personal and institutional responsibility for the long and re-traumatising period between 2013 and 2024,” he continued, noting that “ It is my duty to honour my Constitutional and church responsibilities, so exact timings will be decided once a review of necessary obligations has been completed, including those in England and in the Anglican Communion.”

Profound commitment to create a safer church

Archbishop Welby expressed his hope that this decision will make clear “how seriously the Church of England understands the need for change and our profound commitment to creating a safer church.”

“As I step down I do so in sorrow with all victims and survivors of abuse,” he said.

In the statement, Archbishop Welby referred to what he called a “long felt and profound sense of shame at the historic safeguarding failures of the Church of England,” and noted that he has struggled to introduce improvements.

“In the meantime, I will follow through on my commitment to meet victims. I will delegate all my other current responsibilities for safeguarding until the necessary risk assessment process is complete,” he added, concluding that he believes that the decision to step aside is in the best interests of the Church of England.

The Makin Report

The Church of England's National Safeguarding Team commissioned the independent Makin Report - also known as the John Smyth Review - to investigate and expose the handling of allegations of abuse by the late John Smyth QC. The review was led by Keith Makin, with Sarah Lawrence assisting. It focuses on the Church’s response, exploring both the actions taken and areas for improvement in safeguarding practices. The objective of the review was to bring to light what the Church knew, or should have known, about allegations made against Smyth, evaluate its responses, and identify steps to help prevent similar abuses in the future. The review also considers the responses of associated organisations.