Archbishop Justin Welby, the top cleric in the Church of England, faces growing calls to resign. The pressure follows accusations that he failed to act against John Smyth, a known child abuser. A report released on November 7 reveals details of the abuse. It claims the Church covered up Smyth’s actions for decades. It also accuses Welby of failing his moral duty by not acting once he learned of the abuse.
Abuse by John Smyth
John Smyth, a former British lawyer, is considered one of the worst abusers associated with the Church of England. The Makin Report details his horrific abuse of at least 130 boys and young men between the 1970s and 2018. Smyth’s brutal methods included physical, psychological, and sexual abuse, often involving dreadful beatings. The report highlights that even members of his own family were among the victims.
Smyth’s abuse took place at evangelical Christian summer camps, which were attended by students from elite British schools. Despite being denied ordination by the Church of England in 1984, Smyth went on to abuse children in Zimbabwe. The Church was reportedly aware of his activities as early as 1982, yet failed to take action until much later.
Archbishop’s Role Under Scrutiny
The Makin Report suggests that while Archbishop Welby may not have been fully aware of the severity of the abuse, he was likely aware that Smyth was a cause for concern. The report notes that Welby “held a personal and moral responsibility to pursue this further” once he became aware of the allegations, but it finds that the Church failed to act decisively.
The Archbishop’s handling of the case has come under intense scrutiny, especially given his personal connections to Smyth. Welby was educated at Eton College, where he met Smyth, and later exchanged Christmas cards and made financial donations to Smyth’s missions in Zimbabwe.
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Calls for Resignation
Three members of the Church of England’s General Synod have launched a petition calling for Welby’s immediate resignation. Marcus Walker, one of the petition organizers, said he “cannot imagine” how Welby can continue in his role after “losing the confidence of his clergy.”
The Bishop of Newcastle, Helen-Ann Hartley, also voiced her concerns, stating that Welby’s position was now “untenable.” She questioned how the Church could maintain a “moral voice” while failing to address the abuse scandal at the highest levels.
Archbishop Responds to Criticism
Despite mounting pressure, Welby has refused to step down. Lambeth Palace issued a statement on Monday, confirming that the Archbishop “does not intend to resign.” He acknowledged his “failures and omissions” and apologized for the Church’s role in the concealment of Smyth’s abuse. He also expressed regret for not meeting with Smyth’s victims sooner.
Welby has consistently demanded accountability from Church officials accused of mishandling abuse cases, including his predecessor, Lord Carey, and the former Bishop of Lincoln. However, his own handling of the Smyth case has sparked intense criticism.
A Unique Crisis for the Church
The pressure on Welby is unprecedented. A resignation by the Archbishop of Canterbury over child abuse would have no obvious historical precedent, and there is no formal mechanism for removing an Archbishop from office. This creates a complex situation for the Church, which is now facing intense public scrutiny over its handling of abuse cases.
The failure to act against Smyth, and the subsequent cover-up, have damaged the Church’s credibility and raised difficult questions about accountability within the institution. As calls for Welby’s resignation continue to grow, the future of the Church of England’s leadership remains uncertain.
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