Archbishop Justin Welby, the head of the Church of England and spiritual leader of the global Anglican Communion, is facing pressure to resign following a report that revealed his failure to promptly report serial physical and sexual abuse by John Smyth, a volunteer at Christian camps, to authorities. The report uncovered that Welby knew of the abuse in 2013 but did not immediately inform the police, leading some church members to question his leadership.
A petition demanding his resignation has gained traction among clergy, with over 1,800 signatures, indicating growing discontent within the church. Bishop Helen-Ann Hartley of Newcastle publicly stated that Welby’s position as Archbishop of Canterbury was “untenable.”
The calls for Welby’s resignation intensified after the release of a detailed report into Smyth’s abuse, which spanned five decades and impacted around 115 victims across the UK and Africa. This independent review found that the Archbishop failed to report Smyth’s actions when he learned of the abuse in 2013, shortly after he was appointed Archbishop.
Smyth’s abusive conduct, which involved psychological, physical, and sexual harm, was not adequately addressed by church authorities, leading to prolonged suffering for his victims. Welby has acknowledged that he did not pursue the allegations with the urgency they warranted, though he maintains that he was unaware of the abuse until 2013.
Despite the growing criticism, Welby announced he had no intention of resigning. In a statement from his office, he expressed horror at the extent of Smyth’s abuse and reiterated that he had no prior knowledge of the allegations before 2013.
Calls for Archbishop Justin Welby’s Resignation Mount Amid Report on Failed Abuse Reporting and Church Scandals
Welby defended his decision to remain in his position, hoping the review would contribute to establishing a safer environment within the Church. He emphasized that he is committed to the church’s ongoing efforts to address and prevent abuse, underscoring his dedication to transforming the Church into a more secure institution globally.
The investigation into Smyth’s actions reveals that the Church of England had prior knowledge of his abuses as far back as 1982, following an internal report that church officials covered up. Smyth moved to Zimbabwe and then to South Africa, where he continued abusing boys and young men until his death in 2018. His crimes only came to light in 2017, when a Channel 4 investigation led to a police inquiry in Hampshire. The authorities were preparing to extradite Smyth and interrogate him at the time of his death.
The Makin Review, which examined Smyth’s abuses and the church’s response, criticized the delay in reporting the allegations to law enforcement. It argued that if Smyth had been reported to police in 2013, further abuse could have been prevented, and a criminal conviction might have been secured.
This review highlights a missed opportunity to bring Smyth to justice, emphasizing that the Church’s failure to act swiftly on the abuse allegations likely allowed more harm to occur. The situation has stirred significant debate within the Anglican Communion, questioning whether the leadership structure and accountability processes are adequate to prevent such failures in the future.
