In a stunning development that has sent shockwaves through the Anglican Communion, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, has announced his intention to step down from his position. The decision comes amidst intensifying pressure over Welby’s handling of the John Smyth abuse scandal, which has rocked the Church of England to its core.
A Scandal Unfolding
The resignation announcement follows the publication of a damning report last week, which detailed the church’s cover-up of the abuse perpetrated by John Smyth, a powerful barrister, in the UK during the late 1970s and early 1980s, and later in Zimbabwe and South Africa. The independent review concluded that had Archbishop Welby formally reported the abuse to police a decade ago, Smyth might have been brought to justice.
According to sources close to the investigation, approximately 130 boys are believed to have fallen victim to Smyth’s sadistic abuse. The report paints a disturbing picture of a predator who subjected young men to traumatic physical, sexual, psychological, and spiritual attacks, leaving indelible scars on their lives.
A Failure to Act
Archbishop Welby had previously admitted to considering resignation over his “shameful” decision not to take action when he was informed of the abuse reports in 2013. The Lambeth Palace initially stated that while Welby had “apologised profoundly both for his own failures and omissions, and for the wickedness, concealment and abuse by the church more widely,” he did not intend to resign.
However, pressure continued to mount as abuse victims and church leaders called for Welby to take responsibility for the church’s failures. Andrew Morse, one of Smyth’s victims, stated that Welby’s admission of not doing enough since 2013 “is enough in my mind to confirm that Justin Welby along with countless other Anglican church members were part of a cover-up about the abuse.”
I think that it’s very hard for the church, as the national, established church, to continue to have a moral voice in any way, shape or form in our nation, when we cannot get our own house in order with regard to something as critically important [as abuse].
– Bishop Helen-Ann Hartley of Newcastle
A Dark Chapter in Church History
The John Smyth abuse scandal spans five decades, with the barrister allegedly subjecting as many as 130 boys and young men in the UK and Africa to horrific attacks. When the abuse was first discovered, rather than facing justice, Smyth was allowed to move abroad with the full knowledge of church officials, where he continued to act with impunity.
Smyth died in 2018 at the age of 75 while under investigation by Hampshire constabulary, never facing the consequences of his actions. The Makin review, published last week, stated that Smyth “was never bought to justice for the abuse.”
Questions of Culpability
While Archbishop Welby volunteered at the holiday camps where Smyth’s abuse took place in the 1970s, he has denied any knowledge of concerns about Smyth’s behavior at the time. However, the Makin review casts doubt on this claim, stating that it is “unlikely” Welby had no awareness of the issues surrounding Smyth.
[Welby] may not have known of the extreme seriousness of the abuse, but it is most probable that he would have had at least a level of knowledge that John Smyth was of some concern … It is not possible to establish whether Welby knew of the severity of the abuses in the UK prior to 2013.
– The Makin Review
A Church at a Crossroads
As the Church of England grapples with this devastating scandal, questions arise about the institution’s ability to confront its past failures and chart a path forward. The resignation of Archbishop Welby marks a significant turning point, but many argue that deeper, systemic changes are necessary to restore trust and ensure the safety of the church’s most vulnerable members.
The Anglican Communion now faces the daunting task of rebuilding its moral authority and demonstrating a genuine commitment to justice, transparency, and accountability. The road ahead will undoubtedly be challenging, as the church must not only address the wounds of the past but also implement robust safeguards to prevent such abuses from ever occurring again.
As the search for a new Archbishop of Canterbury begins, the Church of England stands at a critical juncture. The decisions made in the coming weeks and months will shape the institution’s future and determine whether it can regain the trust of its followers and the wider public. For the sake of the abuse survivors and the countless faithful who look to the church for guidance and solace, the Anglican Communion must seize this opportunity to embrace transformative change and chart a new course defined by integrity, compassion, and an unwavering commitment to justice.
