Official statement or press release from the Church of England

Archbishop Justin Welby Resigns Amid Church Abuse Cover-Up of John Smyth QC's Crimes

Nov 12, 2024, 02:20 PM

Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby has resigned following mounting pressure over his handling of a child abuse cover-up within the Church of England. A damning report, known as The Makin Review, found that the Church had failed to act on allegations against John Smyth QC, a prolific child abuser associated with the Church who abused over 100 boys and young men over several decades, often at Christian summer camps. The report concluded that it was unlikely Welby had no knowledge of the concerns before 2013, despite his claims. Welby faced calls to resign from senior clergy, including a bishop who called his position "untenable," citing his failure to prevent abuse and properly investigate the allegations. In his resignation statement, Welby expressed a profound sense of shame for the Church's failings and acknowledged the long-maintained conspiracy of silence about Smyth's heinous abuses.