Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby announced his resignation on November 12 following mounting pressure over his handling of a high-profile abuse scandal involving the late John Smyth.
Smyth, who served as a volunteer at church-affiliated summer camps, was accused of abusing over 100 boys and young men in the United Kingdom and Africa from the 1970s onward.
An independent investigation, known as the Makin Review, concluded that Welby, as head of the Church of England, failed to report the allegations to authorities upon being informed in 2013. The report criticized Welby’s response as insufficiently rigorous, noting that his actions prolonged a “retraumatizing” period for victims.
Welby acknowledged his failings, stating, “It is very clear that I must take personal and institutional responsibility for the long and retraumatizing period between 2013 and 2024.”
Welby, a former oil executive who became archbishop in 2013, initially resisted calls for his resignation. However, amid growing criticism from church leaders and victims, he ultimately sought permission from the king to step down, expressing sorrow for victims’ suffering and stating that he hoped his decision underscored the church’s “profound commitment to creating a safer church.”
The Church of England has previously faced sustained scrutiny for its handling of abuse allegations.
Smyth’s actions, originally concealed in the 1980s by church leaders, were exposed publicly in 2017.
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