Welby steps down after a report exposed failures in handling abuse by John Smyth, calling for personal and institutional accountability

In a stunning turn of events, Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby has resigned, just days after a damning report revealed the extent of a child abuse scandal linked to the Church of England. The investigation focused on the actions of John Smyth, a former evangelical leader whose abusive practices were covered up by church officials for decades.

In his resignation statement, Welby acknowledged his failure to fully address the issue, particularly after being informed in 2013 that police had been alerted to Smyth’s crimes. “I believed wrongly that an appropriate resolution would follow,” Welby admitted, emphasising his responsibility for the “long and retraumatising period” between 2013 and 2024. Although Welby was under the impression that the matter had been resolved, the report revealed that no police referral had ever been made, and it was clear that further steps should have been taken.

John Smyth’s abuse, which involved the brutal beating of young men in a Christian “rehabilitation” programme, only came to light after his death in South Africa in 2018. His victims, some of whom have publicly shared their harrowing experiences, had long fought for justice, and the recent report further exposed the Church’s failure to protect them.

Before his resignation, one of Smyth’s victims shared their painful story with the BBC, detailing the physical and emotional trauma caused by Smyth’s actions. The Church of England’s handling of the scandal has been called into question, and Welby’s departure comes as a recognition of the institution’s failure to address the abuse in a timely and appropriate manner.

Welby’s resignation, which he called “necessary for the healing of those harmed,” was met with mixed reactions. Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell expressed admiration for Welby’s decision, acknowledging the significant strides the Church had made in safeguarding during his tenure. Despite the flaws in handling the Smyth case, Cottrell highlighted the improvements made in protecting vulnerable individuals within the Church, which Welby helped to instigate.

The Church now faces the challenge of selecting a new leader and ensuring that meaningful reforms are made to prevent future abuse. The process of selecting a new Archbishop will be closely scrutinised as the institution grapples with the fallout from this scandal and seeks to rebuild trust within its community.