Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby announced his resignation on Tuesday following an independent review that found significant failings in the Church of England’s handling of abuse allegations against volunteer John Smyth.
Smyth, who operated at Christian summer camps in the UK, Zimbabwe and South Africa, was accused of physically, sexually and psychologically abusing over 100 boys and young men for decades.
Appointed archbishop of Canterbury and titular head of the Church of England and the world’s 85 million-person Anglican Communion in 2013, Welby learned of the abuse cases involving John Smyth early in his tenure. However, according to a review led by safeguarding expert Keith Makin, Welby did not take decisive steps to report the abuse to authorities, believing that police were already aware and that he should not interfere. The review ultimately concluded that this lack of action allowed the abuse to go unaddressed, leading to further trauma for many victims.
Smyth’s abusive activities had long-lasting impacts on his victims, with some reporting thousands of cane strokes that left them with scars and enduring trauma. The report notes that church officers were aware of the abuse as early as the 1980s but chose to protect Smyth’s reputation to avoid “immense damage” to the church’s public image.
“It is very clear that I must take personal and institutional responsibility for the long and re-traumatizing period between 2013 and 2024,” Welby said in his statement, adding that he steps down “in sorrow with all victims and survivors of abuse.”
Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell, responding to Welby’s resignation, praised his colleague’s commitment to reforming church safeguarding policies while acknowledging the necessity of Welby’s decision. “Justin has decided to take his share of responsibility for the failures identified by the Makin review. I believe this is the right and honorable thing to do,” Cottrell stated.
Lead Safeguarding Bishop Joanne Grenfell and National Director of Safeguarding Alexander Kubeyinje said, “There is never a place for covering up abuse.” They emphasized the Church’s commitment to implementing Makin’s recommendations to ensure greater accountability and transparency.
In his farewell, Welby reflected on the profound shame he feels for the Church’s historic safeguarding failures. “I believe that stepping aside is in the best interests of the Church of England, which I dearly love and which I have been honoured to serve,” he said, hoping his resignation signals a renewed commitment to creating a safe and victim-centered church.
