Following a damning report on serial sex abuser John Smyth, the bishop of Newcastle calls Justin Welby’s position “untenable,” accusing the church of losing credibility

A senior bishop has called for Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby to step down following the release of a damning report on a notorious sex abuser within the Church of England. The report focused on John Smyth QC, a barrister who is believed to be one of the most prolific serial abusers associated with the Church.

Bishop Helen-Ann Hartley of Newcastle has described Dr Welby’s leadership as “untenable,” citing the Church’s failure to protect vulnerable individuals under its care. In a televised interview, Hartley expressed that the Church of England was at risk of losing all credibility if its leaders did not take responsibility. “I think, rightly, people are asking the question, ‘Can we really trust the Church of England to keep us safe?’ And I think the answer at the moment is ‘No,’” Hartley told the BBC.

As one of the 21 bishops in the House of Lords, Hartley holds significant influence, and her remarks have further ignited calls for Dr Welby’s resignation. She suggested that Welby stepping down would send a clear message about the need for reforms, particularly in safeguarding practices. “His resignation would be a very clear indication that a line has been drawn, and that we must move towards independence of safeguarding,” she added.

The controversy erupted following the release of the Makin review last week, which uncovered the extent of abuse perpetrated by Smyth, a prominent figure within the Church. Smyth, a former barrister, was accused of sexually abusing children and young men for years, with the Church failing to alert authorities despite repeated warnings.

As public outcry grows, Bishop Hartley condemned a letter she had received from Welby and the Archbishop of York just days before the Makin report was published. The letter, which relates to Hartley’s suspension of former Archbishop John Sentamu over a previous safeguarding issue, was criticised by Hartley for its “coercive” language. In a social media post, Hartley accused the Church of a “wider and systemic dysfunction” in handling abuse cases, particularly in terms of its failure to support victims and survivors.

The Church’s handling of these matters has now become a central issue, and calls for Dr Welby to resign have gathered momentum. A petition, initiated by some members of the General Synod, the Church of England’s legislative body, has amassed more than 5,000 signatures, demanding his resignation over the failure to properly address the abuse allegations.

The scandal surrounding Smyth and the Church’s delayed response has shaken the faith of many in the institution’s ability to protect its most vulnerable members. The pressure on Archbishop Welby to resign is mounting, as members of the Church’s hierarchy are urged to take responsibility for a failure that has had devastating consequences for countless victims.