(Photo: Lambeth Conference)
Archbishop of Canterbury Steps Down Amidst Controversy
Justin Welby’s resignation as Archbishop of Canterbury has been met with mixed reactions following a public outcry over his handling of abuse allegations linked to the late John Smyth QC. The decision came after a Change.org petition calling for his resignation gathered over 14,000 signatures.
Rev Marcus Walker, a prominent figure in the Save the Parish movement, co-sponsored the petition. Expressing his thoughts on social media platform X, Walker said, “Justin Welby has done the right thing and my prayers are with him and his family today.” He also emphasized the need for the Church to address its future with “wisdom and care.”
The catalyst for Welby’s departure was a damning report by Keith Makin, which accused the Church of England of a “cover-up” regarding Smyth’s abusive actions. Despite Welby’s denial of such claims, he admitted to “incompetence” during an interview with Channel 4 News’ Cathy Newman.
Gavin Ashenden, former chaplain to Queen Elizabeth II, was among those who advocated for Welby’s resignation. He noted the relief felt by many victims of Smyth’s abuse upon learning of the resignation, attributing it to Welby’s “personal incompetence” and the delay in addressing the abuse allegations.
The Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell, also supported Welby’s decision to resign, calling it “the right and honourable thing to do.” He expressed his commitment to ensuring greater safeguarding independence in the Church, acknowledging the need to support victims and survivors.
Welby, who assumed the role of Archbishop in 2013 and was set to retire in 2026, faced increasing pressure following the Makin report’s findings. Critics, including the Bishop of Newcastle, Helen-Ann Hartley, argued that his position had become “untenable,” given the Church’s failure to properly address abuse issues.
In an interview with the BBC, Hartley stated, “I think that it’s very hard for the church, as the national, established church, to continue to have a moral voice in any way, shape or form in our nation, when we cannot get our own house in order with regard to something as critically important [as abuse].”
This article was originally written by www.christiantoday.com
