The Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby has announced his resignation on the heels of a report into a child abuser associated with the Church of England.
The independent report reviewed the Church of England’s handling of allegations of abuse by the late John Smyth QC. Commissioned by the Church’s National Safeguarding Team, the review was led by Keith Makin, with Sarah Lawrence assisting. The aim was to bring to light what the Church knew, or should have known, about allegations made against Smyth, evaluate its responses, and identify steps to help prevent similar abuses in the future.
The review found the CofE and Justin Welby had failed to act appropriately on reports of John Smyth’s abuse. Smyth was a barrister and lay preacher who ran summer camps for young Christians. The report accused him of assaulting up to 30 boys during the 1970s and 1980s.
Smyth moved to Zimbabwe in the 80s and then South Africa, where he is alleged to have abused a further 85 to 100 boys aged 13 to 17. He died in 2018.
Following publication of the report last week Keith Makin said: “The abuse at the hands of John Smyth was prolific and abhorrent. Words cannot adequately describe the horror of what transpired.
“Many of the victims who took the brave decision to speak to us about what they experienced have carried this abuse silently for more than 40 years.
“Despite the efforts of some individuals to bring the abuse to the attention of authorities, the responses by the Church of England and others were wholly ineffective and amounted to a coverup.
“The Church and its associated organisations must learn from this review and implement robust safeguarding procedures across their organisations that are governed independently.
“This has been a long process but a necessary one to uncover the extent of John Smyth’s despicable behaviour and how the Church reacted to it.
“I would like to sincerely thank the victims for their courage, grace and dignity and I would like to remind everyone reporting on this review about their right to anonymity and privacy.”
A petition was launched calling for Mr Welby’s resignation in light of his ‘inaction’ over the abuse allegations.
In a statement issued today Mr Welby said: “Having sought the gracious permission of His Majesty The King, I have decided to resign as Archbishop of Canterbury.
“The Makin Review has exposed the long-maintained conspiracy of silence about the heinous abuses of John Smyth.
“When I was informed in 2013 and told police had been notified, I believed wrongly that an appropriate resolution would follow.
“It is very clear that I must take personal and institutional responsibility for the long and retraumatising period between 2013-2024.
“It is my duty to honour my constitutional and church responsibilities and so exact timings will be decided once a review of necessary obligations has been completed.
“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.”
Mr Welby said stepping aside was “in the best interests of the church.”
The Bishop of Stepney Joanne Grenfell said: “As Lead Bishop for Safeguarding for the Church of England, I have been acutely aware of the impact of the Makin report and the retraumatizing effects of its publication on victims and survivors of John Smyth’s awful abuse.
“With sadness, I fully respect and understand Archbishop Justin’s decision today to resign. Although Archbishop Justin has helped the Church of England to achieve much in relation to safeguarding during his tenure, because of the failings identified in the Makin Report, it is now necessary for others to take up the baton.
“Of course, the responsibility for good safeguarding in the Church of England lies with every one of us. Archbishop Justin’s resignation does not change that, and his decision today does not absolve any of us from bringing about the wholesale changes in culture and leadership that are essential in every part of the Church.
“I am acutely aware of the need in our current work on safeguarding independence, following the report of Professor Alexis Jay, to bring to General Synod recommendations for moving forward which can be both effective and trusted in this regard.
“I have worked closely with Archbishop Justin since I took on this role and have greatly valued his personal commitment to good safeguarding and his desire to see the whole Church make this a priority.”
The Church of England is riddled with pedaristic perverts and the conspiracy of silence infects its entire structure. This is nothing new nor unique.
He shouldn’t have been allowed to resign. He should’ve been sacked.
As he knew about this in 2013, and done nothing about it will he be repaying all his parishioners their donations back, which in all fairness is his salary, and all his expenses back. I think not, so, there we have it, the church ” pass the
hat round” money is the root, and funds, the of all evil.
I agree-like Musk-The world richest man-Who could help poor people in this sad world-but people like that-why the world is bad.
The Bishop of Dover would make a great Archbishop of Canterbury. About time we had more diversity in the good lord’s house!
And who appoints the Arch Bishop Peter? Is it the king? The whole thing stinks! The problem is there was no public accountability, as there isn’t with charities. I have just been told to make a complaint against the RSPCA by the police, because the police fail to enforce the Animal Welfare Act (Email available on request!) Why? Its the police that should enforce the law, the Animal Welfare Act, not a charity which is not a branch of the police, or a government agency, and is not publicly accountable, and is not obliged to take action against animal ill treatment, and mostly doesn’t unless in an emergency and its likely to die according to a letter I have from them! So, why are the police at a very senior level being disingenuous (dishonest, and untruthful according to one dictionary) The police are equally unaccountable, which is why they are fobbing the public off with an excuse to contact an animal charity, when they should be enforcing the law!
Very sad ending for the archbishop of Canterbury who gave his life to the service of his religion and for the head of the church of England His Majesty King Charles to whom his majesty trusted the archbishop implicitly one assumes.
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That’s very kind and generous of you ‘R’.
However, our establishment and institutions are infected by many who appear to be deprived of moral fibre.
Good riddance, Justin Welby. This is your karma for jumping onto the antisemitism bandwagon in 2019. Perhaps you should have looked in the mirror before smearing other people.
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2019/nov/26/justin-welby-chief-rabbi-labour-antisemitism
This is not about what happened 4 years ago… This is about the outcome of the Lord Archbishop’s perceived ‘Silence’ and Unwillingness to investigate a crime – which in some religious sects are seen as a cleansing sort of… The Lay Preacher – John Smyth committed these henious acts to over 100 boys…and sexually abused some. STOP JOINING ISSUES!
Doesn’t this invalidate the coronation? Need a woman next as archbishop!
You’re copying me!
Christine, if no woman is shortlisted, would you be happy to see Peter Mandelson appointed? There are a few parallels between him and Welby.
Should of gone a decade back.
When I was 5 years old a teacher sexually assaulted me about 20 times before I told my parents and he was dismissed from the school, I don’t think he was ever prosecuted. 73 years later I can still vividly recall him and the circumstances and the smell of his after shave. The archbishop has done what he should have done long ago.
Welby should be punished for this very serious dereliction of duty. A custodial sentence would be appropriate.
He should then get a proper job. As should all the other bishops.
I am surprised he lasted this long .He always took a ” sabbatical ” , every time the pressure was on ,he went to The states for a sabbatical.Not had a good Archbishop of Canterbury for decades,John Sentamu would have been good,passed over even though he was Archbishop of York
Is there such a thing as a “good” Archbishop of Canterbury? I think the role is too antiquated to have any purpose today. The Church of England is now moribund and irrelevant.
More people attend mosques.
I presume that it’s OK for folks attending CoE churches to benefit from a clerical structure of some sort?
Just because it’s irrelevant to you doesn’t invalidate it for them.
Have you forgotten Rowan Williams?
another cover up and whitewash , it is obvious this institution is riddled with perverts and other deviants , as others have rightly said its an out of date institution , there is no place for this outdated nonsense in the modern world. they hide in plain site , they self police themselves or rather cover up for each other – get rid of all of them i say
The Bishop of Dover would be good for the job but would she ever be selected in the first place. Hiding behind the truth is always going to be found when in this sort of job. I never thought Welby was a good choice. However having spent many years in the church in Thanet I found the clergy did not have much direct contact with children, most was done by parents who were vetted to do it. Or by more elderly grandparents. Nowadays you are never allowed to be alone with a child. This rule has been around for a few years but can easily be broken. No vetting system is bullet proof. Welby has made the right decision but should be an immediate one.
Considering that John Smyth had moved to Africa in the 80s, and Justin Welby did not become Archbishop of Canterbury till 2013, I don’t see why he should have resigned.
MM Rees – oh dear. Do you not understand his admission of knowledge, non action and therefore guilt! Unfortunately, indefensible.
She’s always defending criminals.
What Justin Welby needs is a damned good thrashing.
Surely it should have been the police investigating, once they had been informed of John Smyth’s crimes against children.
As I understand it, John Smyth had moved to SA long before Justin Welby was ordained, let alone made Archbishop.
It seems to me that Welby has taken one for the team, as it were.
Imagine-This happened during KING HENRY VIII -TIME? Would have cost him his HEAD.
In Henry VIII’s time then then Archbishop was murdered in Canterbury cathedral.
If you are referring to Thomas Becket, that was over 300 years & 6 Henrys earlier.
Are you referring to an arch bishop that was got rid of Phyllis, for being too turbulent! So there is a precedent!
How has Justin Welby been “turbulent”? What is the point of the above comments about previous murders anyway? We have different and less barbaric laws in Britain now.
You’re right, he hasn’t created enough turbulance. He should’ve made far more fuss about his kiddy-fiddling colleague.
And the rest of them. Welby is just the tip of the iceberg.
Dumpton – how has Justin Welby been “turbulent”? What is the point of your comment and those of Mark Durrant and Phyllis Quot ?
Why are you so defensive of ugly criminals all the time? I don’t get it.
These exchanges are becoming truly pointless. They aren’t even witty.