The Church of England’s lead bishop for safeguarding, Joanne Grenfell, has said that the Church of England must make “wholesale changes” after the resignation of the Archbishop of Canterbury.
Archbishop Justin Welby finally announced he was resigning after days of mounting pressure following the publication of the Makin Report which said he had didn’t report sadistic abuse by the late QC John Smyth to police despite knowing about it since 2013. The Church of England more widely was accused of a “cover-up”.
Announcing his resignation, Welby said that he “must take personal and institutional responsibility” for the failings, and that “stepping aside is in one of the best interests of the Church of England”.Â
Commenting on his resignation, Bishop Grenfell said that in light of the failings, it was “crucial for others to take up the baton” on safeguarding within the Church of England.Â
She added that safeguarding was the responsibility of all within the Church of England and that Welby’s resignation “doesn’t absolve” the Church from making crucial changes.
“With sadness, I fully respect and understand Archbishop Justin’s decision today to resign. Although Archbishop Justin has helped the Church of England to attain much in relation to safeguarding during his tenure, due to failings identified within the Makin Report, it’s now crucial for others to take up the baton,” she said.Â
“Of course, the responsibility for good safeguarding within the Church of England lies with every one in every of us. Archbishop Justin’s resignation doesn’t change that, and his decision today doesn’t absolve any of us from bringing in regards to the wholesale changes in culture and leadership which are essential in every a part of the Church.”
