ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY JUSTIN WELBY URGED TO RESIGN OVER ABUSE COVER-UP
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, has now stepped down following a report into a church cover-up involving abuse allegations.A petition initiated by three General Synod members has gained over 10,000 signatures calling for his resignation.
The report highlighted that Mr Welby apologised for not acting on allegations against barrister John Smyth, who is suspected of having abused as many as 130 boys and young men over five decades in the UK and Africa.
Smyth, who died in 2018 in Cape Town while under investigation, was never brought to justice for his actions.
The review indicated that Smyth’s abuse could have been reported to police in 2013 had church authorities acted appropriately.
Mr Welby admits he failed to ensure the allegations were investigated properly but maintains he will not resign, instead expressing hope that the review will support ongoing efforts to make the church safer.
Victims, including Andrew Morse, have criticized the archbishop’s response, with some calling his position untenable.
The report underscores decades of abuse by Smyth and the church’s failure to report him, suggesting senior clergy and bishops knew of the abuse but did nothing.
Critics argue that Welby’s admission of failure and the church's handling of the issue necessitate his resignation to restore credibility.
