Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby resigns following allegations of mishandling abuse report

The Archbishop of Canterbury and global head of the Anglican Church, Justin Welby, has officially resigned from his position, a decision announced on Tuesday.

In a public statement, Welby expressed his intentions, stating, “With humility, I have sought permission from His Majesty and decided to step down as the Archbishop of Canterbury.”

This resignation follows recent revelations regarding his handling of a report concerning allegations of abuse against young boys by the late Bishop John Smyth.

According to the report, Smyth allegedly abused 130 boys at Christian camps where he served in the 1970s and 1980s.

It emerged last week that in 2013, Welby was presented with the report detailing Smyth’s abuse.

Critics argue that Welby had the opportunity to alert authorities to Smyth’s actions, which could have led to further investigation before Smyth’s death in 2018. However, he reportedly failed to act on the information.

Smyth, who moved to Africa in 1984, allegedly continued abusing children until his death.

The case has raised significant questions about accountability within church leadership, leading to Welby’s decision to resign.

This marks a pivotal moment for the Anglican Church as it reflects on its leadership and commitment to safeguarding vulnerable individuals.