Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby has stepped down, following the release of a critical report on prolific child abuser John Smyth, who was linked to the Church of England.
In his resignation statement, Welby acknowledged the report’s findings, which revealed a “long-maintained conspiracy of silence surrounding the horrific abuses committed by John Smyth.”
He shared that in 2013, when he was informed police had been alerted, he had “wrongly assumed that appropriate action would be taken.”
Smyth, who was never brought to justice, passed away in South Africa in 2018.
Initially, after giving the matter “serious thought,” Welby declared last week he would not resign.
However, last Thursday, he issued a new statement, expressing deep regret: “I am profoundly sorry that this abuse took place and that a cover-up by numerous individuals aware of the situation allowed John Smyth to continue his abuses abroad, ultimately passing away without facing justice.”
Welby clarified that he “had no knowledge or suspicion of the abuse before 2013” and described the recent Makin report into Smyth’s actions as “a vital step towards a safer church.”
In his resignation statement today, he admitted: “I must accept both personal and institutional responsibility for the prolonged and painful period from 2013 to 2024. For nearly twelve years, I have strived to enact reforms, but it is up to others to judge the outcomes. I believe stepping down is in the best interest of the Church of England, which I love deeply and have been privileged to serve.”
OsunDailyNG reports that Justin Welby is a close friend of former President Muhammadu Buhari.
The former Archbishop had visited Buhari numerous times when he governed Nigerian from 2015 to 2023.
