Justin Welby, the Archbishop of Canterbury and spiritual leader of 85 million Anglicans, has resigned following a damning report on decades of abuse at Christian summer camps. Welby, known for presiding over royal ceremonies such as Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s wedding and Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral, took responsibility for the Church’s failures in handling the allegations.
“Profound Shame” Over Safeguarding Failures
In his resignation letter, Welby expressed deep regret:
“The last few days have renewed my profound sense of shame at the historic safeguarding failures of the Church of England.”
He emphasized the need for institutional change and apologized to victims, stating his decision reflects the Church’s commitment to creating a safer environment.
Abuse at Christian Camps
The scandal centers on John Smyth, a British lawyer accused of abusing over 100 boys and young men from the 1970s to 2018. According to the Makin Report, Smyth subjected victims to brutal beatings, sometimes delivering up to 800 strokes with a cane.
The Church of England became aware of the abuse allegations in 2013, the same year Welby took office. However, no formal investigation occurred until years later, prompting criticism of Welby’s leadership.
Calls for Accountability
The Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell, supported Welby’s resignation, calling it “the right and honorable thing to do.” Conservative Anglican churches, particularly in Africa, had previously expressed a loss of confidence in Welby’s leadership over his handling of divisive issues like LGBTQ+ rights.
Who Will Succeed Welby?
The search for Welby’s successor is underway, with two prominent names in the running:
– Graham Usher, Bishop of Norwich, an advocate for gay rights and climate action.
– Guli Francis-Dehqani, Bishop of Chelmsford, who would be the first woman in the role.