The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, is facing mounting pressure to resign after a recent review sharply criticised his handling of abuse allegations related to John Smyth, a prolific child abuser connected with the Church of England.
In a report published last week, findings suggested that Welby “could and should” have alerted authorities when details of Smyth’s extensive abuse of boys and young men were first reported to him in 2013.
Bishop Helen-Ann Hartley of Newcastle, a senior Church figure, has publicly urged Welby to step down, stating his resignation would signify the Church’s commitment to a new era in safeguarding.
She told the BBC, “I think rightly people are asking, ‘Can we really trust the Church of England to keep us safe?’ And I think the answer at the moment is ‘no’.”
Hartley further emphasised that while a resignation may not solve all safeguarding issues, it would clearly indicate a shift towards greater accountability.
The report into Smyth’s abuse details decades of physical and psychological abuse against as many as 130 victims across the UK, Zimbabwe, and South Africa.
Smyth’s abusive activities reportedly targeted young boys he encountered at Christian camps and prestigious schools, including Winchester College. In one instance, Smyth allegedly subjected victims to severe beatings using a garden cane in a soundproofed shed at his home.
The Makin review reveals that from July 2013, senior Church officials were aware of Smyth’s history of abuse and failed to report him to law enforcement in the UK and South Africa, a decision that the report describes as a “missed opportunity” to bring him to justice.
Hampshire Police began investigating Smyth following a 2017 Channel 4 documentary that exposed his abuse allegations, but Smyth died in 2018, aged 75, while still under investigation.
Public figures and members of the Church of England’s governing body, the General Synod, have joined calls for Welby’s resignation.
Reverend Richard Coles, broadcaster and clergyman, wrote on social media that anyone in a position of authority who enabled abuse through inaction “should resign.”
Anglican priest Giles Fraser, who shared his own experience of childhood abuse, said the Archbishop has “lost the confidence of his clergy” and must step down.
Welby has admitted to personal failings in investigating Smyth’s abuses energetically and has considered stepping down but remains in his role. Last week, he acknowledged the serious findings of the review, stating, “I personally failed to pursue this matter with sufficient vigour.”
Despite public outcry, Welby defended his past claim that he was unaware of Smyth’s crimes until 2017, a statement that has been questioned by Smyth’s survivors.
Andy Morse, one of Smyth’s victims, told The Telegraph that he doubts Welby’s assertions, remarking, “I’m not sure he knew every detail, but I believe he was aware of the broader issues.”
Prime Minister Keir Starmer refrained from commenting on whether Welby should resign, saying, “That’s a matter really for the Church rather than for me.”
As pressure builds, many now question whether Welby’s departure is necessary for the Church to regain public trust and effectively tackle safeguarding issues in the future.
