Church of England head Justin Welby under pressure to resign amid abuse scandal
Associated Press3 days
UK: Archbishop Justin Welby Resigns Over Church Abuse Cover-up
Above: Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby speaks during a service held for the new UK Parliament at Westminster Abbey on July 23, 2024 in London, England. Image copyright: Adrian Dennis /WPA Pool/Pool via Getty Images
The Facts
After last week suggesting he wouldn't resign, Justin Welby has stepped down as Archbishop of Canterbury. This comes following the publication of a damning report, suggesting Welby failed to act when informed over a decade ago of abuses committed by barrister John Smyth.
Smyth reportedly abused approximately 130 boys and young men, subjecting them to brutal physical, psychological, and sexual attacks spanning five decades across three countries.
The Spin
Narrative A
The resignation of Justin Welby was absolutely justified — the Archbishop's failure to intervene in Smyth's abuses constituted complicity with his brutal and heinous crimes. However, having taken responsibility for his failings, we must now look ahead to consider who may take Welby's place. There are several impressive, eligible candidates who could soon be leading the Church of England and influencing Christians around the world.
Narrative B
Welby's undignified resignation cannot merely be skirted over with dialogue about a potential successor. This latest series of events highlights the Church of England's dwindling status in modern society, and the ousting and moral condemnation of its most senior figurehead may come to be the nail in the coffin for the CoE's influence in an increasingly agnostic world.