ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY JUSTIN WELBY RESIGNS AMID ABUSE SCANDAL
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GREATRIBUNETVNEWS–Justin Welby, the head of the Church of England and spiritual leader of the global Anglican Communion, has stepped down after facing intense pressure over his handling of a decades-long abuse case involving John Smyth, a prominent attorney who abused teenage boys and young men at Christian summer camps .
Welby acknowledged that he failed to report Smyth to authorities when he was informed of the abuse in 2013, and instead believed that the issue would be resolved appropriately. However, an independent investigation revealed that Welby’s inaction contributed to the prolonged suffering of the victims .
Key Findings of the Investigation:
– _Conspiracy of Silence: The review exposed a long-maintained conspiracy of silence about Smyth’s abuses.
– _Failure to Report: Welby failed to report Smyth to authorities despite being informed of the abuse in 2013.
– _Retraumatization: The victims suffered retraumatization due to the church’s handling of the case between 2013 and 2024.
The scandal has sparked widespread outrage, with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer stating that abuse victims had been “failed very, very badly.” Welby’s resignation comes as the Church of England faces mounting criticism over its handling of historical abuse cases.
