Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby Resigns Amid Abuse Scandal

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, has announced his resignation, expressing deep sorrow over the Church of England’s prolonged failure to address the abuse inflicted by a volunteer at Christian summer camps. Welby’s departure follows an independent report which criticised his lack of adequate response to one of the church's most persistent abusers. 

In a statement, Welby confirmed he had sought King Charles's approval to step down, acknowledging that this decision underscores the Church of England’s commitment to change and the need for a safer environment. He expressed his profound sorrow and solidarity with survivors of abuse.

Welby’s eleven-year tenure saw milestones like the ordination of female bishops, contentious debates on same-sex marriage, and his vocal stance on social issues such as migration. However, the church became increasingly divided between progressive and conservative factions, with Welby caught in the middle. Ultimately, the sexual abuse scandals that have long haunted religious institutions proved insurmountable.

Last week, Welby initially resisted calls to resign, but pressure mounted as a petition by three members of the General Synod garnered over 10,000 signatures. Reflecting on his decision, Welby admitted that upon first learning of the allegations against John Smyth in 2013, he believed police involvement would resolve the issue—an assumption he now sees as misguided. 

The recent independent review, led by Keith Makin, disclosed extensive abuse by Smyth, involving more than 130 young men over four decades. Makin’s report, which also detailed Welby’s early acquaintance with Smyth, highlighted a "conspiracy of silence" around the barrister’s abuses. While it did not find evidence that Welby was aware of the full extent of Smyth’s actions, it did cite warnings about Smyth’s character that went unheeded.

Welby noted that the precise timing of his departure is yet to be determined, but he will leave in a bid to restore trust in the institution. He accepted both personal and institutional responsibility for the church's prolonged failures from 2013 onward, sharing his own sense of shame for the trauma endured by survivors.

For support, contact the National Sexual Assault, Domestic and Family Violence Counselling Service at 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732), Lifeline at 131 114, or Beyond Blue at 1300 224 636.