THE Archbishop of Canterbury did the “right and honourable thing” by selecting to resign, the Archbishop of York said on Tuesday afternoon.
Archbishop Cottrell released an announcement saying that Archbishop Welby had “decided to take his share of responsibility for the failures identified by the Makin review”.
He said: “I think that is the fitting and honourable thing to do.
“Whilst this can be a difficult day for Justin, I pray there can be a chance to reflect on and appreciate the numerous positive points of his ministry and his huge commitment to the Church of England, the Anglican Communion and above all of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.”
Archbishop Cottrell said that “greater independence of safeguarding” was needed to be certain that the failings detailed within the Makin report never happened again.
The General Synod is because of consider plans for the long run of the C of E’s safeguarding processes in February next 12 months (News, 8 July).
Archbishop Cottrell also paid tribute to the victims and survivors of Smyth’s abuse, thanking them for his or her courage. “They were badly let down by many in numerous parts of the Church of England,” he said.
The Church’s lead bishop for safeguarding, the Bishop of Stepney, Dr Joanne Grenfell, said on Tuesday that she understood and revered Archbishop Welby’s decision to resign. “Although Archbishop Justin has helped the Church of England to realize much in relation to safeguarding during his tenure, due to the failings identified within the Makin Report, it’s now crucial for others to take up the baton.”
Dr Grenfell said that she had “greatly valued” the Archbishop’s “personal commitment to good safeguarding and his desire to see the entire Church make this a priority”.
The Bishop of London, the Rt Revd Sarah Mullally, also commented on Tuesday afternoon, saying that Archbishop Welby’s decision provided “the urgent impetus we’d like to alter the face of safeguarding within the Church of England”.
His departure, she said, “creates the crucial space” to bring about change.
“We need a genuinely survivor-focused approach, with independent scrutiny and mandatory reporting at its heart. From this moment, the Church must drive fundamental safeguarding reform.”
Bishop Mullally credited Archbishop Welby for his role in passing the laws to permit women bishops within the Church, and said that his “deal with prayer and mission” would “leave an enduring legacy”.
“However, today it’s the survivors of abuse who should be on the forefront of our thoughts and prayers,” she concluded.
A joint statement by the Bishop of Sheffield, Dr Pete Wilcox, and his suffragan, the Bishop of Doncaster, the Rt Revd Sophie Jelley, said that they acknowledged “with a heavy heart” the resignation of Archbishop Welby.
They assured survivors of their thoughts and prayers, and said: “Let us join together in prayer for all who’ve been harmed, for the Archbishop who has made the fitting decision today, and for our Church as we work towards a future that reflects Christ’s love, justice, and mercy.”
More response got here from the bishops within the diocese of Exeter: the diocesan, Dr Mike Harrison, and the suffragan Bishops of Crediton and Plymouth, the Rt Revd Jackie Searle and the Rt Revd James Grier.
“As bishops, we’re committed to making a protected and healthy culture for all in our churches and church schools, where power shouldn’t be abused, crimes should not hidden, people feel capable of speak-up, victims are heard, and motion is taken,” they said in a joint statement.
They thanked Archbishop Welby “for his ministry, mission and leadership”, and said that they were praying for him and his family.
In an ad clerum to his diocese, the Bishop of Chester, the Rt Revd Mark Tanner, wrote that he had been listening to the media coverage “with all manner of mixed feelings, mainly grief over the failings of our church”. There was “no place for cover-up or complicity with abuse in any a part of society, least of all within the church”, he wrote.
He concluded the letter: “I need to specific gratitude for the nice things that Archbishop Justin has done on this role.”
