Justin Welby resigns as Archbishop of Canterbury

The Archbishop of Canterbury has resigned after facing a backlash over a damning report into his handling of horrific abuse by the late QC John Smyth. 

Justin Welby’s resignation got here after days of mounting pressure during which critics said his position had turn out to be “untenable”.

It follows the publication of the Makin Review’s final report last week which accused the Church of England of a cover-up and apportioned responsibility to Welby for failing to notify police after he became aware in 2013.

In a press release, Welby said, “Having sought the gracious permission of His Majesty The King, I actually have decided to resign as Archbishop of Canterbury.

“The Makin Review has exposed the long-maintained conspiracy of silence in regards to the heinous abuses of John Smyth.

“When I used to be informed in 2013 and told that police had been notified, I believed wrongly that an appropriate resolution would follow.

“It may be very clear that I need to take personal and institutional responsibility for the long and retraumatising period between 2013 and 2024.” 

He went on to say that stepping aside was “in one of the best interests of the Church of England.

“I hope this decision makes clear how seriously the Church of England understands the necessity for change and our profound commitment to making a safer church. As I step down I achieve this in sorrow with all victims and survivors of abuse,” he said. 

“The previous few days have renewed my long felt and profound sense of shame on the historic safeguarding failures of the Church of England. For nearly twelve years I actually have struggled to introduce improvements. It is for others to guage what has been done.

“In the meantime, I’ll follow through on my commitment to satisfy victims. I’ll delegate all my other current responsibilities for safeguarding until the crucial risk assessment process is complete.” 

An exact date for his departure has yet to be determined.

Calls for his resignation were led by the Bishop of Newcastle, Helen-Ann Hartley, and backed by influential figures inside the Church of England, including Archbishops’ Council member Dr Ian Paul and commentator Rev Giles Fraser. 

A petition on Change.org demanding that he go has attracted 14,000 signatures.