Official Church of England statements or documented reforms

Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby Resigns After Damning John Smyth Abuse Review

Nov 16, 2024, 10:18 PM

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, has announced his resignation following a damning independent review into the Church of England's handling of abuse allegations involving John Smyth. The review revealed systemic failures and a culture of silence within the church's leadership. Welby's resignation has prompted calls for further resignations, including those of other senior clerics who were aware of the abuse but failed to act. The Bishop of Newcastle, Dr. Helen-Ann Hartley, has been vocal about the need for accountability, criticizing the 'culture of silence and fear' among bishops. The Bishop of Winchester and other church leaders are also under scrutiny as the fallout from the scandal continues to unfold. The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, described Welby's involvement as 'not acceptable.' The investigation began eight years ago, and the Archbishop of York is urged to step down for ignoring 11 separate complaints.