The resignation of Justin Welby, the Archbishop of Canterbury, sends ripples through the Church of England following explosive revelations from the Makin Report, which accused him of failing to act decisively against one of the institution's most notorious abusers. This decision, made public on Tuesday, reflects not only Welby’s personal struggles with the Church’s dark past but also highlights systemic failures within the church hierarchy meant to protect the vulnerable.
Acclaimed for his leadership of the Anglican community, Welby has had his tenure marred by the handling of abuse allegations against John Smyth, a once influential figure connected to the Church through various religious camps. The Makin Report uncovered chilling details about Smyth, who, between the 1970s and 2010s, reportedly abused as many as 130 young men and boys during his role as a barrister and at Christian summer camps he organized. The report criticized the Church's failure to alert authorities about allegations of Smyth's behavior, underscoring why Welby felt compelled to resign.
Welby, 68, announced his resignation by saying he felt deeply saddened and ashamed over the abuses committed and acknowledged his role and the Church's shortcomings. "It is very clear I must take personal and institutional responsibility for the failures of the Church of England. I have struggled to introduce improvements and it is now for others to judge what has been done," he lamented. His resignation came only days after the independent review surfaced, pushing both the public and church officials to question the past and future direction of the Church.
The Makin Report pointed out failures dating back to 1982, when initial reports of Smyth’s abuses surfaced within the Church. The inquiry determined there were numerous opportunities missed throughout the decades to bring Smith to justice, with Welby being directly named for his 2013 handling of the allegations. Despite being told police had already been notified, it was revealed he failed to pursue the matter assertively, allowing Smyth to continue his predatory behavior.
Smyth's abusive practices are harrowing. Described as having utilized sadistic methods, he subjected many of his victims, who were often young attendees of his camps, to physical beatings and psychological torment, sometimes as severe as 800 strokes of the cane. Reports indicated Smyth would target schoolboys, bringing them to his home under the pretense of mentorship, only to assault them. Rather than be reported and stopped, Smyth vacillated between the UK and various countries, including Zimbabwe, where he continued similar activities before passing away in 2018 after spending time evading authorities.
The effects of Smyth’s actions left long-lasting scars on his victims, many of whom have expressed disappointment and pain with the Church's lack of action for so long. Survivors have stated openly their desire for more accountability within the Church, calling for resignations of others who may have turned a blind eye to the outrageous conduct over the years. Bishop Helen-Ann Hartley, among those advocating for greater accountability, pointed to the institution's need for deep-rooted reform. "This resignation does not solve the Church's issues with safeguarding and the trauma faced by victims. A true resolution lies beyond one resignation," she said.
Discussions surrounding who might succeed Welby as the new Archbishop of Canterbury are already underway. The selection is managed by the Crown Nominations Commission, which will put forth recommendations to the Prime Minister for final approval. Potential candidates have started bubbling up within the Church’s senior ranks, including Stephen Cottrell, the Archbishop of York, and Sarah Mullally, the Bishop of London. Both have shown commitment to the Church's reform efforts, especially surrounding safeguarding, which could be pivotal as the Church seeks to heal and establish greater trust among its congregants.
The culture within the Church of England has been heavily criticized, not only following these recent revelations but from historical contexts, with numerous other cases of abuse and cover-up surfacing over the years. Reports indicate the church too often prioritized protecting its reputation over safeguarding its vulnerable members.
With the resignation of Welby, many voices within the Church are calling for systematic changes to prevent such atrocities from ever happening again. Archbishop Stephen Cottrell stated, "We are making progress, but much more lies before us. The Church is moving, and we need to do more." It reflects the broader challenges facing the Church as it attempts to navigate its way through this crisis, serving both its congregants and the community with transparency and respect.
Welby leaves behind not only his role as the Archbishop but also various debates and national discussions relating to the Church's relevance and organizational structure. His legacy will inevitably be intertwined with the issues of safeguarding, and his departure highlights the need for forthrightness and accountability moving forward. Observers and members of the Church alike are left wondering if this moment could signal the beginning of true change within the organization.