The archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, is facing increasing pressure to step down due to his failure to address allegations of child abuse by John Smyth, a prominent barrister who passed away in 2018. Members of the Church of England are calling for his resignation, citing his role in allowing the abuse to continue unchecked.
Despite expressing shame and remorse for not taking action when first informed of the abuse in 2013, Welby has stated that he does not intend to resign. The recent report by Keith Makin revealed the extent of Smyth’s abuse, which was described as prolific, brutal, and horrific. The report also highlighted the church’s inadequate response and cover-up of the abuse.
Welby, who volunteered at the evangelical Christian holiday camps where Smyth carried out his abuse, claims he was unaware of the allegations at the time. However, the report suggests that it is unlikely he was completely unaware of the rumors surrounding Smyth.
Although calls for Welby’s resignation are primarily coming from clergy critical of his leadership, they may gain broader support in the coming days. Welby is expected to announce his retirement in the near future, as bishops in the Church of England are required to step down at the age of 70.
Despite the mounting pressure, Welby maintains that he had no prior knowledge of the abuse and does not plan to resign. The situation is causing a significant rift within the Church of England, as members grapple with the implications of the abuse scandal and the leadership’s response to it. The church faces a critical moment of reflection on its culture and structures in light of these revelations.
