Justin Welby discusses therapy, resignation, and the Makin report findings

Justin Welby Reflects on Therapy and Leadership Challenges

In a candid discussion, Justin Welby, the former Archbishop of Canterbury, shared insights into how therapy aided him in navigating the aftermath of his resignation from the Anglican Communion. His departure in November 2024 followed the release of the Makin report, which critiqued the Church of England’s response to abuse allegations linked to the late John Smyth, a figure believed to have committed abuses spanning decades in both Britain and Africa.

The report highlighted Welby’s perceived inadequacies in addressing the allegations upon learning of them. Welby acknowledged his oversight, admitting he “personally failed to ensure … [that] the awful tragedy was energetically investigated”. Despite this, he has challenged some aspects of the report’s conclusions.

Addressing the Cambridge Union, Welby argued that evidence showed the allegations had indeed been reported to authorities, and the Church was advised by police to refrain from further investigations to avoid compromising their inquiries.

In a recent appearance on the Rosebud Podcast with Gyles Brandreth, Welby elaborated on his experiences since stepping down, calling it the “loneliest” period. He revealed, “I’ve been seeing a psychotherapist for a considerable period of time. And a psychiatrist. Very helpful. It’s not about saying, ‘oh, it didn’t matter’, or anything like that, quite the reverse – how does one live with such a failure?”

Welby reiterated his acceptance of the Makin report’s claim that he had not sufficiently prioritized victims but expressed disagreement with other findings. “The initial perception was that we’d not reported it to the police – in fact, it had been reported to the police,” he stated.

Keith Makin, who authored the report, remains firm in his conclusions. As reported by the Telegraph, Makin asserted, “My report makes it clear that the matter was communicated to the police but that Bishop Welby did not pursue it beyond being assured by the Ely diocese that the police were investigating.

“My report makes the point that Bishop Welby knew of John Smyth and it should have been the case that he should take more interest than a simple assurance. I concluded that Bishop Welby carried a personal and a moral responsibility to ensure that he pursued the matter.”