Justin Welby said on Tuesday (Nov 12) that he would step down as the Archbishop of Canterbury and also resign as the spiritual leader of the global Anglican communion after a review published last week revealed that the Church of England covered up prolific abuse of boys and young men.

Justin Welby said on Tuesday (Nov 12) that he would step down as the Archbishop of Canterbury and also resign as the spiritual leader of the global Anglican communion after a review published last week revealed that the Church of England covered up prolific abuse of boys and young men. Welby faced mounting calls to resign over the review described a barrister who ran summer camps for young Christians, John Smyth, as the most prolific serial abuser associated with the Church of England as it is also known. Smyth was held responsible for the violent abuse of at least 115 children and young men in England, Zimbabwe and South Africa, including caning some. He died in 2018. Over 30 Church of England officials face being sacked Following Welby's decision to step down, more than 30 officials of the church named in the review face being sacked over their failure to stop the most prolific child abuser in the institution’s history, a report by The Telegraph on Wednesday said. The review was published by Keith Makin, a former social services director. It found that Smyth's abuse was covered up by “powerful evangelical clergy.” At least 30 members still hold influential roles within church The church's national safeguarding team was examining the actions of at least 30 officials named in the review as having prior knowledge of allegations against Smyth, The Telegraph report said. These individuals were believed to still hold posts or influential roles within the church. The safeguarding team was assessing whether their actions justified termination. One of the individuals named in the report is Rev Canon Andrew Cornes, a central member of the Crown Nominations Committee, the secretive body responsible for appointing the next Archbishop of Canterbury. The review highlighted that despite Cornes being informed of Smyth’s abuse by a victim in 1982, he remains in the running to help select the Archbishop’s successor. (With inputs from agencies)

Following Justin Welby's resignation, over 30 Church of England officials face being sacked: Report

Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby resigns amid growing fallout from a church abuse scandal, marking a dramatic leadership shift within the Church of England.

Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby Resigns Over Church Abuse Scandal

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, on Tuesday (Nov 12) announced his resignation after facing huge pressure to quit over his&nbsp;failure&nbsp;to ensure a proper investigation into an abuse scandal.

This comes days after a report stated that he was not able to conduct a proper inquiry into claims alleging more than 100 boys and young men were abused decades ago at Christian summer camps.

This led to intense pressure on Welby, a spiritual leader of 85 million Anglicans worldwide.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/britain-redefines-extremism-in-the-face-of-rising-hate-crimes-critics-call-it-a-threat-to-free-speech-699848">Also read:&nbsp;Britain redefines 'extremism' in the face of rising hate crimes, critics call it a threat to free speech</a>

Moreover, one senior figure in the church, the bishop of Newcastle, Helen-Ann Hartley, called on him publicly to step aside.

“It is very clear that I must take personal and institutional responsibility for the long and retraumatizing period between 2013 and 2024," Welby said in a statement.&nbsp;

He added that he had sought permission to resign from King Charles III. “I hope this decision makes clear how seriously the Church of England understands the need for change and our profound commitment to creating a safer church. As I step down I do so in sorrow with all victims and survivors of abuse.”

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Statement from the Archbishop of Canterbury.<a href="https://t.co/aNnuLBMapo">https://t.co/aNnuLBMapo</a> <a href="https://t.co/pIIR1911QU">pic.twitter.com/pIIR1911QU</a>
— Archbishop of Canterbury (@JustinWelby) <a href="https://twitter.com/JustinWelby/status/1856336726832148584?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 12, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

“The last few days have renewed my long-felt and profound sense of shame at the historic safeguarding failures of the Church of England. For nearly twelve years I have struggled to introduce improvements. It is for others to judge what has been done.”

Last week, Welby said that he had considered resigning over his "shameful" decision not to act to deal with reports of abuse by Smyth, a powerful and charismatic barrister who died in 2018 when he was informed of them in 2013.

Lambeth Palace, the official London residence of the Archbishop of Canterbury, issued a statement on Monday, stating that Welby had “apologised profoundly both for his own failures and omissions, and for the wickedness, concealment, and abuse by the church more widely”, but did not intend to resign.

Welby was scheduled to retire in 2026. His early resignation&nbsp;brings a premature end to the tenure of the country's best-known cleric, who became the leader of the Church of England at a time of tension between liberals and traditionalists.

(With inputs from agencies)

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, on Tuesday (Nov 12) announced his resignation after facing huge pressure to quit over his failure to ensure a proper investigation into an abuse scandal.

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, on Tuesday (Nov 12) announced his resignation after facing huge pressure to quit over his failure to ensure a proper investigation into an abuse scandal. This comes days after a report stated that he was not able to conduct a proper inquiry into claims alleging more than 100 boys and young men were abused decades ago at Christian summer camps. This led to intense pressure on Welby, a spiritual leader of 85 million Anglicans worldwide. Also read: Britain redefines 'extremism' in the face of rising hate crimes, critics call it a threat to free speech Moreover, one senior figure in the church, the bishop of Newcastle, Helen-Ann Hartley, called on him publicly to step aside. “It is very clear that I must take personal and institutional responsibility for the long and retraumatizing period between 2013 and 2024," Welby said in a statement. He added that he had sought permission to resign from King Charles III. “I hope this decision makes clear how seriously the Church of England understands the need for change and our profound commitment to creating a safer church. As I step down I do so in sorrow with all victims and survivors of abuse.” Statement from the Archbishop of Canterbury.https://t.co/aNnuLBMapo pic.twitter.com/pIIR1911QU — Archbishop of Canterbury (@JustinWelby) November 12, 2024 × “The last few days have renewed my long-felt and profound sense of shame at the historic safeguarding failures of the Church of England. For nearly twelve years I have struggled to introduce improvements. It is for others to judge what has been done.” Last week, Welby said that he had considered resigning over his "shameful" decision not to act to deal with reports of abuse by Smyth, a powerful and charismatic barrister who died in 2018 when he was informed of them in 2013. Lambeth Palace, the official London residence of the Archbishop of Canterbury, issued a statement on Monday, stating that Welby had “apologised profoundly both for his own failures and omissions, and for the wickedness, concealment, and abuse by the church more widely”, but did not intend to resign. Welby was scheduled to retire in 2026. His early resignation brings a premature end to the tenure of the country's best-known cleric, who became the leader of the Church of England at a time of tension between liberals and traditionalists. (With inputs from agencies)

Archbishop of Canterbury resigns over improper handling of UK Church abuse scandal

Rejecting the Archbishop of Canterbury - Justin Welby - as their leader, a group of conservative Anglican leaders from around the world on Monday (February 21) issued a statement against the decision by the Church of England to bless same-sex couples in civil marriages. They registered their opposition to the move, and the Archbishop taking a dominant position in the Anglican Communion, after questioning Welby's “fitness to lead” the global church.

Archbishops representing 10 of the 42 provinces in the Anglican Communion, who registered the opposition, also insisted that the Church of England (C of E) was "disqualified" as their historic "Mother Church", BBC reported. Leaders from South Sudan, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo were among those who voiced opposition. This is the first time that the Archbishop of Canterbury's leadership has been rejected by such a large group of churches. The controversy is linked to the permission by the Church of England's governing body - the General Synod - earlier this month to clergy to bless couples in same-sex marriages.

Watch: Gravitas: Church of England considers gender-neutrality

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="http://wionews.com/videos/gravitas-church-of-england-considers-gender-neutrality-560753/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

&nbsp;

"Path of false teaching" &nbsp; 
“The GSFA (Global South Fellowship of Anglican Churches) is no longer able to recognise the present archbishop of Canterbury, the Rt Hon &amp; Most Revd Justin Welby, as the ‘first among equals’ leader of the global communion," the statement by the primates read, according to British news platform The Guardian. It further referred to similar moves by the church of Scotland, Wales and the US, saying: "This breaks our hearts.” The churches have taken "the path of false teaching", the group further underlined. The group - opposing the blessing to same-sex couples - claims to represent 75 per cent of Anglicans around world, particularly across Asia and Africa. "The Church of England has chosen to break communion with those provinces who remain faithful to the historic biblical faith," the statement read.

How Archbishop of Canterbury reacted

Meanwhile, Welby has welcomed the new position, stressing that he would not offer blessings personally to same-sex couples. He also tweeted a statement by Secretary General of the Anglican Communion, the Right Reverend Anthony Poggo, which read: “I will be in touch with the primates from the Global South, as part of my regular conversations with all primates, as we seek to strengthen the unity of the Anglican Communion and work through those things that divide us."

 
Also read: <a href="http://wionews.com/world/explained-the-ugly-face-of-child-sexual-abuse-in-catholic-church-562722">EXPLAINED: The ugly face of Child sexual abuse in Catholic church</a>

The Anglican Communion is a global fellowship of 42 Anglican churches.While Welby has no formal powers, he is viewed as the "first among equals" with a moral authority.&nbsp; In response to the anger, Lambeth Palace - the Archbishop of Canterbury's official residence - has said a formal change to the Anglican Communion's structure can't be made without approval from its four governing "instruments".

"We must find ways to continue walking and working together as followers of Jesus Christ to serve a world in need. That remains the Archbishop’s prayer and his call to Anglicans around the Communion," it stated.

&nbsp;

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1  width=&quot;100%&quot;"></iframe>

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

Rejecting the Archbishop of Canterbury - Justin Welby - as their leader, a group of conservative Anglican leaders from around the world on Monday (February 21) issued a statement against the decision by the Church of England to bless same-sex couples in civil marriages.

Rejecting the Archbishop of Canterbury - Justin Welby - as their leader, a group of conservative Anglican leaders from around the world on Monday (February 21) issued a statement against the decision by the Church of England to bless same-sex couples in civil marriages. They registered their opposition to the move, and the Archbishop taking a dominant position in the Anglican Communion, after questioning Welby's “fitness to lead” the global church. Archbishops representing 10 of the 42 provinces in the Anglican Communion, who registered the opposition, also insisted that the Church of England (C of E) was "disqualified" as their historic "Mother Church", BBC reported. Leaders from South Sudan, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo were among those who voiced opposition. This is the first time that the Archbishop of Canterbury's leadership has been rejected by such a large group of churches. The controversy is linked to the permission by the Church of England's governing body - the General Synod - earlier this month to clergy to bless couples in same-sex marriages. Watch: Gravitas: Church of England considers gender-neutrality × "Path of false teaching" “The GSFA (Global South Fellowship of Anglican Churches) is no longer able to recognise the present archbishop of Canterbury, the Rt Hon & Most Revd Justin Welby, as the ‘first among equals’ leader of the global communion," the statement by the primates read, according to British news platform The Guardian. It further referred to similar moves by the church of Scotland, Wales and the US, saying: "This breaks our hearts.” The churches have taken "the path of false teaching", the group further underlined. The group - opposing the blessing to same-sex couples - claims to represent 75 per cent of Anglicans around world, particularly across Asia and Africa. "The Church of England has chosen to break communion with those provinces who remain faithful to the historic biblical faith," the statement read. How Archbishop of Canterbury reacted Meanwhile, Welby has welcomed the new position, stressing that he would not offer blessings personally to same-sex couples. He also tweeted a statement by Secretary General of the Anglican Communion, the Right Reverend Anthony Poggo, which read: “I will be in touch with the primates from the Global South, as part of my regular conversations with all primates, as we seek to strengthen the unity of the Anglican Communion and work through those things that divide us." Also read: EXPLAINED: The ugly face of Child sexual abuse in Catholic church The Anglican Communion is a global fellowship of 42 Anglican churches.While Welby has no formal powers, he is viewed as the "first among equals" with a moral authority. In response to the anger, Lambeth Palace - the Archbishop of Canterbury's official residence - has said a formal change to the Anglican Communion's structure can't be made without approval from its four governing "instruments". "We must find ways to continue walking and working together as followers of Jesus Christ to serve a world in need. That remains the Archbishop’s prayer and his call to Anglicans around the Communion," it stated. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Same-sex blessing row: In a first, a move against Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby

justin-welby

Justin Welby, News on Justin Welby, stories on Justin Welby, articles on Justin Welby, Justin Welby stories at Wion, Justin Welby news, Justin Welby latest news

justin welby

Following Justin Welby's resignation, over 30 Church of England officials face being sacked: Report

Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby Resigns Over Church Abuse Scandal

Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby Resigns Over Church Abuse Scandal

Archbishop of Canterbury resigns over improper handling of UK Church abuse scandal

Same-sex blessing row: In a first, a move against Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby