Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby has announced his resignation following a comprehensive review that revealed major failings in the Church of England’s response to abuse allegations against the late John Smyth. The independent inquiry, led by safeguarding expert Keith Makin, found that the Church failed to adequately address the abuse allegations against Smyth, a volunteer who was accused of abusing over 100 boys and young men at Christian summer camps in the UK, Zimbabwe, and South Africa.
Appointed in 2013, Welby became aware of these cases early in his tenure. However, the review report criticized his lack of decisive action, with Welby assuming that law enforcement was already handling the situation and that his intervention was unnecessary. This inaction, the review concluded, contributed to ongoing trauma for the victims.
The abuse, characterized by extensive physical and psychological harm, left lasting scars on its victims. Reports indicated that church officials knew of the abuse as early as the 1980s but opted to safeguard Smyth’s reputation, fearing reputational damage to the Church.
In his resignation announcement, Archbishop Welby stated, “It is very clear that I must take personal and institutional responsibility for the long and retraumatizing period between 2013 and 2024,” further expressing sorrow for all victims and survivors. Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell heralded Welby’s decision as the appropriate response to the failures outlined by the Makin review.
Lead Safeguarding Bishop Joanne Grenfell and National Director of Safeguarding Alexander Kubeyinje underscored that “there is never a place for covering up abuse,” urging the Church to implement recommendations from the Makin review to ensure greater accountability and transparency. Welby’s resignation, as he noted at his departure, aims to signal a renewed commitment to creating a safer, more victim-centered environment within the Church of England.
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