The head of the Anglican Church resigns for covering up child sexual abuse

The Reverend Justin Welby resigned on Tuesday from his position as head of the Church of England and spiritual leader of an international community of 85 million Anglicans after accepting personal and institutional responsibility for 'serious errors in handling' a historic child and adolescent abuse scandal. The Archbishop of Canterbury was under pressure following the recent publication of an independent report exposing his role in covering up elite lawyer and religious children's camp manager, John Smyth, ultimately considered the 'most prolific abuser' of children within the Church of England's sphere.

The top leader of a denomination spread across 165 countries was aware since 2013 – unofficially likely from decades earlier – of the catalogue of complaints and suspicions cast on Smyth since the 1980s, according to the investigation by social advisor Keith Makin. The Archbishop, however, joined the 'conspiracy of silence' prevalent among the ecclesiastical hierarchy, and the notorious lawyer and family man, who also physically abused his son, continued committing atrocities until his death in 2018.

Smyth died in Cape Town without facing justice for the litany of alleged crimes perpetrated over four decades in the UK, Zimbabwe, and South Africa. The report attributes him a minimum of 115 victims in England from the early 1970s until 1984, when the Church allowed – possibly recommended – him to leave the country despite an internal investigation revealing a chain of abuses, which a 'small group decided to cover up.'

The aim was to protect the reputation of school camps and the church itself. 'It is obvious that I must accept personal and institutional responsibility for the long and traumatic period between 2013 and 2024,' the Archbishop states in the resignation letter. Welby initially traced his knowledge of the case back to 2017, when a Channel 4 program aired the cruel and terrifying punishments the supposed mentor inflicted on pupils who sinned.

Welby, who has led Anglicanism since 2013 and previously worked in the hydrocarbon industry, took three years to meet with the victims of the prolific predator. The testimonies of now adults speak of hundreds of lashes until blood flowed from their buttocks and backs, kisses and touches, control, humiliation, and psychological abuse. 'I mistakenly believed that an appropriate resolution would be established after being informed in 2013,' the Reverend now justifies.

The Archbishop lost the clergy's trust in recent days. His integrity in handling historical abuse complaints and the reform plan he himself instigated to ensure everyone's safety in the ecclesiastical realm has also been questioned. He now hopes that his resignation from the highest position in the Anglican communion demonstrates the 'seriousness with which the Church of England' addresses the 'need for change and our deep commitment to creating a safer church.'

Welby retires before his anticipated dismissal in January 2026. He will then turn 70, the maximum age for Archbishops of Canterbury, according to ecclesiastical canons. However, he leaves amid a global shock among Anglican faithful worldwide.

The British government refused to comment on the news, and only a spokesperson for Prime Minister Keir Starmer spoke on the case, merely stating that he respected the decision. 'The accusations are clearly horrific,' he added after showing support for the victims, whom he believes 'have been very gravely failed.'

The Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell, the second highest-ranking cleric in the Church, also commented, describing Welby's resignation as 'the right and honorable thing to do.'