Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury and spiritual leader of the global Anglican Communion steps down after investigation finds he failed to report decades of abuse Linked to Church Lawyer John Smyth
LONDON, ENGLAND — Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury and spiritual leader of the global Anglican Communion, announced his resignation on Tuesday after a report found he failed to act on a high-profile child abuse case within the Church of England. The decision follows days of mounting pressure over Welby’s role in covering up decades of physical, sexual, and psychological abuse of boys and young men by John Smyth, a prominent lawyer associated with Church-run camps.
The findings, part of an independent inquiry known as the Makin Review, revealed that Welby “could and should” have reported Smyth’s abuses to authorities in 2013, but failed to do so. In his statement, Welby expressed remorse for his actions and acknowledged the Church’s responsibility for safeguarding failures.
“It is very clear that I must take personal and institutional responsibility for the long and re-traumatizing period between 2013 and 2024,” he said. “I hope this decision demonstrates the Church’s commitment to creating a safer environment for all.”
Petition Pushes Welby to Step Down
The revelations triggered a backlash from clergy and the public, with a petition calling for Welby’s resignation quickly amassing nearly 14,000 signatures. Several high-ranking bishops also urged Welby to step down in light of the findings.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer weighed in on the matter Tuesday, stating Smyth’s victims had been “failed very, very badly.” However, he left the decision to resign to Welby and the Church of England leadership.
A Legacy of Abuse and Institutional Silence
Smyth, a lawyer who held Church-backed summer camps in the 1970s and 1980s, was found responsible for the “prolific, brutal and horrific” abuse of up to 130 boys and young men, according to the Makin Review. Smyth moved to Africa in 1984 and lived there until his death in 2018, avoiding criminal charges despite ongoing investigations.
The Makin Review criticized the Church of England’s failure to inform police, stating that leaders missed a critical chance to bring Smyth to justice and may have allowed further harm to vulnerable individuals. Additionally, the report condemned the Church’s handling of a 2017 investigative exposé on Smyth, noting that the response lacked “speed, professionalism, intensity, and curiosity.”
Final Words of Regret
In his closing remarks, Welby extended his sorrow and solidarity to Smyth’s victims and survivors.
“As I step down, I do so in sorrow with all victims and survivors of abuse,”
he said, acknowledging the traumatic impact of the Church’s longstanding silence.
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