LONDON (UNITED KINGDOM)
La Croix International [Montrouge Cedex, France]
November 13, 2024
By Héloïse de Neuville
Archbishop Justin Welby, the Primate of the Anglican Communion, announced his resignation November 12, just days after the publication of a report criticizing his handling of a case involving the sexual abuse of minors.
With his position deemed “untenable” by many of his peers, Archbishop Justin Welby of Canterbury, head of the Church of England and Primate of the Anglican Communion announced his resignation November 12.
This decision comes barely a week after the release of the Makin report, an independent investigation that revealed cover-ups by senior Church of England officials regarding abuses committed between the 1970s and 2010 by John Smyth on at least 115 boys and young men during Christian summer camps. Smyth, an Anglican lawyer and committed layman, was described in the report as “arguably the most prolific serial abuser to be associated with the Church of England.”
While the report found it “unlikely” that Welby had no knowledge of the suspicions surrounding Smyth at the time—something Welby strongly denied—it is primarily his handling of the case in 2013 that is under scrutiny.
That year, the Anglican archbishop was officially informed of the accusations against the former lawyer. The Makin report was unequivocal in its conclusion that the archbishop “could and should have” reported the facts to the police.Further reading: Anglican Archbishop Justin Welby under fire for handling of sex abuse scandal
The case only became public in 2017, following an investigation by Channel 4 that revealed the abuse of children. Welby’s inaction allowed Smyth, who died in 2018, to escape justice.
“I must take responsibility”
“It is very clear that I must take personal and institutional responsibility for the long and retraumatising period between 2013 and 2024,” Welby explained to justify his resignation.
While the Archbishop of Canterbury denied having covered up the case, he acknowledged with his departure that he no longer had the necessary authority to maintain his position and lead a credible fight against sexual abuse in the Church of England. Indeed, a petition demanding his resignation, launched November 9 by three members of the General Synod of the Church of England, had already gathered over 5,000 signatures.
“I hope this decision makes 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,” Welby said. Further reading: Accused of inaction over abuse, the Anglican Church apologizes
This case once again tarnishes the Anglican institution, which had already been accused four years ago in a previous report of perpetuating a “culture” that allowed sexual abusers to “hide” and evade justice. According to that report, which stemmed from a wider inquiry into various national institutions, 390 individuals associated with the Church of England were convicted of sexual offenses between the 1940s and 2018.
“I hope this decision makes clear how seriously the Church of England understands the need for change and our profound commitment to creating a safer church.”
Justin Welby
Welby served as Archbishop of Canterbury since 2013, leading both the Church of England and the global Anglican Communion. Since his appointment, the former oil industry executive, known for his progressive views, had embarked on an unprecedented evangelization project.