Former Archbishop of Canterbury Lord George Carey has resigned from the Church of England following allegations surfacing from a BBC investigation about his controversial support for disgraced priest David Tudor. This shocking turn of events has stirred significant conversation within and beyond the Church as it faces intense scrutiny over its handling of sexual abuse cases.
At 89 years old, Lord Carey officially relinquished his Permission to Officiate (PTO) on December 4, 2023, after being directly contacted by the BBC about his involvement with Tudor. The former priest was infamously barred from ministry for life due to multiple sexual misconduct admissions, which included allegations against minor victims. Carey's decisions during his tenure as Archbishop from 1991 to 2002 have now come under fire as they seemingly provided Tudor with pathways back to the ministry.
According to the BBC, Tudor was previously banned from being alone with children during his ministerial activities and had paid substantial compensation to one of his sexual abuse victims. Despite these serious allegations, Carey allowed Tudor to return to his duties under supervision, indicating either neglect or misjudgment at best.
Compounding the situation, leaked documents hinted at Carey advocating for Tudor's reintegration, raising alarms about the integrity of oversight mechanisms within the Church. Church records from 1993 show Carey initially reinstated Tudor's ministry, albeit under hesitant circumstances. "The decision to allow Tudor back... should never have happened," stated the Church of England, acknowledging the gravity of the policy breaches surrounding Tudor's case.
Writing about his resignation, Lord Carey expressed, "It has been an honor to serve," reflecting on over six decades with the Church. He went on to say, "I give thanks to God for his enduring faithfulness," portraying his resignation as both personal and institutional. These sentiments come cloaked with the stain of controversy, questioned by many who now demand accountability.
The Church, meanwhile, has found its standing challenged by these revelations. Coming fresh off the heels of another high-profile resignation from Archbishop Justin Welby over separate handling of sexual misconduct claims, the institution is at the center of widespread criticism. Archbishop Welby stepped down last month, admitting failures surrounding investigations tied to past allegations at Christian summer camps.
Looking forward, the current Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell, has also faced requests for his resignation concerning Tudor's case. Some argue he could have acted sooner upon becoming Bishop of Chelmsford. Even as the Church continues to handle past grievance claims, Cottrell’s defense has relied on asserting he inherited the situation. He mentioned having no legal grounds to take early suspension action against Tudor until police reopened investigations - which seems to leave room for scrutiny over the Church's historical response.
Rachel Ford, one of Tudor's victims, did not hold back her criticisms of the leadership. Speaking with BBC, she remarked, "It’s absolutely disgusting... they welcomed him back," emphasizing the rehabilitative approach taken toward Tudor, which completely disregards the trauma inflicted on victims. Her words echo the discontent many feel toward the institutional response to sexual abuse allegations, which many argue has been grossly inadequate.
The fallout from Carey's resignation and the broader investigation decimates the illusion of safety once provided by the Church and this historical trust among victims, clergy, and communities served. The Church's failure to protect its most vulnerable from abusers like Tudor leads one to wonder: Who else may fall victim to these cycles of neglect?
With the inquiry’s findings now made public, the Church has vowed to listen more closely to survivors and overhaul how it handles allegations of abuse. For years to come, this high-profile case will likely linger as reminders of the necessity for reflection and re-evaluation of institutional responses to abuse. The Church of England cannot ignore these calls for reform as it attempts to navigate the murky waters of its past and restore faith within its ranks and congregations.
