Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby Resigns Following Investigation into Sexual Abuse Cover-Up

Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby resigned on Tuesday, following the release of an independent investigation report by the Makin Review. The report revealed that Welby had failed to alert authorities about John Smyth, a serial physical and sexual abuser who had preyed on over 100 young boys and men at Christian holiday camps across two continents.

The Findings of the Makin Review

The Makin Review uncovered that John Smyth had victimized approximately 30 boys and young men in the United Kingdom and an astonishing 85 more in Africa over the span of five decades. Despite the harrowing revelations, the abuse allegations against Smyth did not come to light until 2017 when the police, prompted by a report from Channel 4, launched an investigation.

Welby's Sorrowful Resignation

In a statement, Welby expressed his sorrow and stated that he was resigning with the gracious permission of His Majesty The King. He acknowledged his “personal and institutional responsibility” for having wrongly believed there was no need to report Smyth to the police when first informed about the abuses. .

Welby’s Recognition of Failures

Welby’s resignation was met with widespread support, with Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell calling it the “right and honorable thing to do.” Cottrell emphasized the need for the Church of England to adopt a more victim-centered and trauma-informed approach to safeguarding, addressing broader questions of culture and leadership.

Andrew Morse, a victim of Smyth, characterized Welby’s resignation as a positive step in a long-overdue acknowledgment of the suffering endured by many. He highlighted that the situation had persisted for over 40 years and welcomed the decision to step down.

Petition for Welby’s Resignation

A petition advocating for Welby's resignation had garnered over 13,000 signatures at the time of his announcement. This collective outcry underscored the widespread demand for accountability within the Church.

Calls for Action

In the wake of the Makin Review, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer emphasized the need for the Church to address the matter, acknowledging the “clearly horrific” allegations of abuse. The Prime Minister underscored the profound failure experienced by the victims, urging the Church to take decisive action.

Cover-Up Allegations

While Welby claimed to have been unaware of Smyth's abusive behavior until 2013, the Makin Review revealed that an internal investigation into Smyth had been conducted in 1982. Shockingly, the recipients of that report had participated in an active cover-up to suppress its findings, preventing the truth from coming to light.

The review also disclosed that Smyth relocated to Zimbabwe in 1984 and subsequently to South Africa, where he continued to abuse boys and young men. Smyth's transgressions were not confined to a geographical area, indicating a pattern of abuse that spanned multiple countries.

Continued Commitment to Safeguarding

In light of the revelations, Cottrell emphasized the Church’s commitment to achieving a more victim-centered and trauma-informed approach to safeguarding. This commitment necessitates addressing not only the immediate concerns but also the broader cultural and leadership issues within the Church of England.