The resignation of Archbishop Justin Welby, the head of the Church of England, has sent shockwaves through the Anglican community and beyond. Following the release of the Makin Review, which exposed decades of horrifying child abuse associated with the late John Smyth, pressure mounted on Welby to step down. The report unveiled systemic failures within the Church, detailing how Smyth, who abused more than 130 boys and young men over his lifetime, evaded justice due to the Church's inadequate response to the allegations. This situation has ignited discussions about accountability, institutional culture, and the future of safeguarding practices within one of the world's oldest religious institutions.
The Makin Review noted the Church of England knew of Smyth’s abuses dating back to the 1980s, yet took no action to report him until many years later. Recommendations were made, emphasizing the necessity for thorough investigations and changes to how the Church handles safeguarding matters. Addressing the fallout from the report, Welby acknowledged, "It is very clear I must take personal and institutional responsibility for the long and retraumatising period between 2013 and 2024." His statement reflected deep remorse, but many have criticized it as insufficient.
Welby’s son, Tim, defended his father’s character, stating he was “embarrassed and appalled” by the circumstances leading to his resignation. He remarked, "His position became untenable, simply because so many people were calling for his resignation." Tim pointed out the intricacies of church bureaucracy, explaining how, as Archbishop, Welby assumed any report would have been cascaded down to law enforcement, believing wrongly the police had already been notified. This confusion raises serious questions about the handling of allegations across the Church’s hierarchy.
Meanwhile, the resignation has sparked conversations about whether more clergy should resign. Julie Conalty, the Bishop of Birkenhead and deputy lead bishop for safeguarding, stated, "Just the Archbishop of Canterbury resigning is not going to solve the problem." This sentiment echoes widely among survivor advocacy groups who are calling for systemic change and more resignations throughout the Church to truly confront its past failures.
The Makin Review painted Smyth as one of the Church’s most notorious abusers, outlining how he was protected by institutional inertia. Despite multiple allegations, actions to address his misconduct were dismissed or delayed. Welby, who has held his position for nearly ten years, was informed of these atrocities during his tenure but failed to act decisively, leading to his present controversy.
Calls for accountability are intensifying as various survivors and activists articulate their anger and frustration at the recurring patterns of abuse and cover-ups. They argue more than just resignations are required—they demand active reform and real changes to safeguarding practices. The report highlighted the traumatic impact on survivors, with many expressing doubts about the Church’s willingness or ability to reform effectively.
Critics of the Church's handling of such abuses argue the response often centers more on institutional reputation than on the well-being of survivors. The current scandal is seen as part of a longer narrative of abuse and neglect within religious institutions, where the mismanagement of allegations has caused irrevocable harm to countless individuals.
With discussions of whether the Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell, and others should resign, the Bishop of Lincoln, Stephen Conway, has resisted such calls. He expressed regret but asserted his own disclosures were properly handled. The contrasting views within the church hierarchy on accountability and reform highlight significant divisions and the difficulty of rectifying cultural attitudes about safeguarding.
Advocates for victims stress the importance of moving beyond mere resignations to implement institutional reform aimed at preventing future abuses. They enjoy significant support from secular leaders and the public, emphasizing the moral obligation of the Church to protect individuals, especially vulnerable ones.
Justin Welby’s resignation has ignited widespread media coverage, leaving many to speculate about the future of the Church of England and its commitment to reform. Establishing effective and compassionate measures for victims will be key if the Church hopes to restore trust and credibility.
Across the UK, survivors of abuse will watch closely as the Church of England grapples with its legacy of mishandling abuse claims. Their fate entwined with the institution’s ability to learn from its past failures and transparently confront the shadows of its history.
