Archbishop of Canterbury Resigns over Church of England Abuse Scandal | BBC News

Nov 12, 2024 | The Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby has resigned following a report into a child abuser associated with the Church of England.

In his resignation statement, Welby said the report "exposed the long-maintained conspiracy of silence about the heinous abuses of John Smyth".

He added, when he was told in 2013 that Smyth had been reported to police, "I believed wrongly that an appropriate resolution would follow".


THE GUARDIAN

Justin Welby to quit as archbishop of Canterbury over handling of abuse scandal: Head of Church of England had faced pressure since damning report on cover-up of John Smyth’s abuse »

THE TELEGRAPH:

Archbishop of Canterbury resigns »

From steady hand to neck-deep in scandal: How Justin Welby fell from grace: The Archbishop’s apparent hypocrisy and inaction over the John Smyth abuse scandal made his position untenable »

How ‘woke’ Welby was undone: Archbishop of Canterbury, who resigned on Tuesday, started his tenure well but secrets he brought to job proved damaging »

How church attendance crumbled under Justin Welby: Number of congregants has fallen by 25,000 a year since he was appointed Archbishop of Canterbury in 2013 »

BBC:

Archbishop Justin Welby's statement in full »

Archbishop of Canterbury Extended Interview on John Smyth Scandal and Resigning

Nov 11, 2024 | In an exclusive interview on 7 November, Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby talks to Cathy Newman about the John Smyth scandal and the Makin Report, which revealed that senior members of the Church of England ‘covered up’ abuse perpetrated by one its members for more than 40 years.

A 2017 Channel 4 News investigation first exposed the abuse by John Smythe, described as the Church’s ‘most prolific abuser.’

Lord George Carey told Channel 4 News he has "no recollection" of John Smyth, and that he gave evidence to the Makin review which has "been ignored".

A warning - there are distressing details in this interview.


THE TELEGRAPH:

Welby put reputation above victims, now he must quit, says abuse survivor: Andrew Morse says Archbishop of Canterbury’s ‘dereliction of duty’ prevented crimes of John Smyth being exposed in 2013 »

How The Telegraph revealed the scale of John Smyth’s abuse – and Justin Welby’s connection: Archbishop of Canterbury under increasing pressure to resign over links to the child sex abuser »

The Church of England has lost its way – there is only one route back: Justin Welby has said he ‘considered’ resigning after the John Smyth Review. That’s not good enough »

Bishop Calls on Archbishop of Canterbury to Resign over Church Abuse | BBC News

Nov 11, 2024 | A Church of England bishop has called on the Archbishop of Canterbury to resign, calling his position "untenable" after a damning report into abuse by a prolific child abuser associated with the Church.

Bishop of Newcastle Helen-Ann Hartley is the most senior member of the Church to call on the Most Rev Justin Welby to stand down, following the "horrific, horrendous and shocking" report.

Welby is facing mounting pressure to resign after it emerged last week that he did not follow up rigorously enough on reports of John Smyth QC's "abhorrent" abuse of more than 100 boys and young men.

Welby acknowledged he should have more rigorously followed up the details and said last week he had considered resigning, but decided to stay in his role.


THE GUARDIAN:

Bishop calls for Justin Welby to resign over failure to pursue serial abuser: Helen-Ann Hartley says archbishop’s position is untenable as members of Church of England’s ruling body launch petition »

The Guardian view on abuse and the Church of England: a reckoning is due for a shameful failure: Justin Welby didn’t do enough when told about John Smyth’s sadistic offending – and he knows it »

Justin Welby Accused of ‘Relegating’ Plight of Palestinian Christians

THE GUARDIAN: Anglicans in West Bank say they are ‘utterly perplexed’ by archbishop of Canterbury’s statements on Israel-Hamas war

The Archbishop of Canterbury spent four days in Jerusalem over the weekend to ‘show solidarity … with the Christian community in the Holy Land’. Photograph: Doug Peters/PA
Palestinian Christians have accused Justin Welby, the archbishop of Canterbury, of “relegating” their plight behind “British domestic political and ecumenical considerations” in his comments on the Israel-Hamas war.

An open letter from Anglican parishioners in the West Bank says they are “utterly perplexed” by Welby’s public statements.

Welby spent four days in Jerusalem over the weekend to “show solidarity … with the Christian community in the Holy Land”, according to his website.

In a statement issued shortly before he left the UK, Welby appealed for the hostages being held by Hamas to be released and for humanitarian access to Gaza to be allowed.

“The evil and heinous terror attacks by Hamas on people in Israel were crimes against God and humanity. Israel has a legitimate right and duty to defend itself, and to pursue a proportionate and discriminate response to establish its security,” he said. » | Harriet Sherwood | Wednesday, October 25, 2023

Archbishop of Canterbury Urges Ugandan Church to Reject Deadly Anti-gay Law

PINK NEWS: The Archbishop of Canterbury has expressed his “grief and dismay” at a Ugandan law banning homosexuality in a letter urging Church officials in the country to reject it.

The Archbishop of Canterbury has rejected Uganda’s Anti-Homosexual Activity law, and is calling for Anglican Ugandans to oppose the bill. (Getty)
Lead bishop Justin Welby wrote to Ugandan Archbishop Stephen Kaziimba on Friday (9 June) publicly condemning Uganda’s Anti-Homosexuality Act.

“I make this public statement with sorrow, and with continuing prayers for reconciliation between our churches and across the Anglican Communion,” Welby wrote.

“I am deeply aware of the history of colonial rule in Uganda, so heroically resisted by its people.

“But this is not about imposing Western values on our Ugandan Anglican sisters and brothers. It is about reminding them of the commitments we have made as Anglicans to treat every person with the care and respect they deserve as children of God.” » | Amelia Hansford | Friday, June 9, 2023

Welby’s Suggestion Duke of York Is ‘Seeking to Make Amends’ Prompts Fury

THE GUARDIAN: Clergy abuse survivors say ‘church hasn’t begun to address its own debts’ after archbishop of Canterbury’s remarks

In an interview with ITV on Tuesday, Welby said the Queen’s second son was seeking to make amends, adding: ‘I think that’s a very good thing.’ Photograph: Gareth Fuller/PA
Survivors of clergy abuse have reacted with fury to the archbishop of Canterbury’s suggestion that the Duke of York was “seeking to make amends” after settling a sexual assault case.

Andrew Graystone, who advocates on behalf of survivors, said: “Victims of clergy abuse have spoken to me about their shock that Justin Welby should speak about forgiveness and reconciliation when the church hasn’t begun to address its own debts.”

The Church of England had repeatedly failed to listen to victims and deal effectively with abusers, he said. “If Welby wants to discuss issues of justice, mercy and reconciliation – and if he wants to give a lead to the nation on those things – he needs to get his own church in order first.

“Welby says we should cut Prince Andrew some slack because he is ‘seeking to make amends’ for what he may have done. Where are the signs that [the C of E] is seeking to make amends for those it has grievously abused?” » | Harriet Sherwood | Wednesday, June 1, 2022

Archbishop of Canterbury suggests Prince Andrew wants to ‘make amends’: Justin Welby made comment about the duke as he asked public to be more ‘open and forgiving’ »

Johnson Takes On the Archbishop of Canterbury - BBC Newsnight

On Easter Sunday, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, described the government's plan to send asylum seekers to Rwanda as "opposite the nature of God".

But the Prime Minister hit back, claiming in a meeting with MPs that the Archbishop had criticised the Rwanda deal more than Russian president Vladimir Putin.

Labour leader Keir Starmer called on the Prime Minister to apologise for his comments, but Johnson refused.

Boris Johnson Criticism of Archbishop of Canterbury ‘a Disgraceful Slur’

THE GUARDIAN: Prime minister accused Justin Welby of having ‘misconstrued’ Rwanda asylum policy

Justin Welby, the archbishop of Canterbury, giving the Easter morning service at Canterbury Cathedral on Monday. Photograph: Anadolu Agency/Getty Images
Boris Johnson’s criticism of the archbishop of Canterbury over his comments on the UK government’s Rwanda asylum policy is a “disgraceful slur”, a senior Church of England official has said.

The prime minister accused Justin Welby of having “misconstrued” the policy of sending some asylum seekers to Rwanda.

Sources close to Johnson said he accused the senior clergyman of being “less vociferous” in his condemnation of the Russian president, Vladimir Putin, than he was in his attack on the asylum policy.

lank> The criticism from Johnson came in a private address to Conservative MPs in parliament after he was forced to apologise repeatedly over the fixed-penalty notice he received for breaching coronavirus laws.

The Church of England’s head of news, John Bingham, said if the reports of Johnson’s behind-closed-doors comment were true it was a “disgraceful slur”.

The archbishop of Canterbury and the archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell, publicly condemned Putin’s invasion of Ukraine as an “act of great evil”. » | Tobi Thomas and agency | Wednesday, April 20, 2022

Justin Welby Condemns Nigerian Archbishop's Gay 'Virus' Comments

THE GUARDIAN: Archbishop of Canterbury says Henry Ndukuba’s comments that homosexuality should be ‘expunged’ are unacceptable

The archbishop of Canterbury has issued a rare public condemnation of a fellow Anglican primate who described homosexuality as a “deadly virus” which should be “radically expunged and excised”.

Justin Welby, who is the leader of the global Anglican church, said the comments made by Henry Ndukuba, the archbishop of Nigeria, were unacceptable and dehumanising.

His criticism was endorsed by senior Church of England colleagues, including Stephen Cottrell, the archbishop of York, and Sarah Mullally, the bishop of London.

In response to a statement on the pastoral care of gay people issued by the Anglican Church in North America (ACNA) in January, Ndukuba said: “The deadly ‘virus’ of homosexuality has infiltrated ACNA. This is likened to a yeast that should be urgently and radically expunged and excised lest it affects the whole dough.” » | Harriet Sherwood | Saturday, March 6, 2021

Alastair Campbell vs The Archbishop of Canterbury: Alastair Does God | GQ Politics | British GQ

GQ’s arch interrogator Alastair Campbell finally does God, as he meets the man leading the Church of England, Justin Welby, to discuss the Queen's death, gay sex and battling depression.

Archbishop of Canterbury: The Way Islamic State Distorts Islam “One of the Most Desperate Aspects of Our World Today”

JIHAD WATCH: The possibility that they’re not distorting it at all, but carrying out Qur’anic commands to “kill the idolaters wherever you find them” (9:5) and the like, doesn’t enter his mind. Indeed, in an increasing number of Christian churches, anyone who raises such a possibility is silenced and ostracized: the idea that Islam is a Religion of Peace is the dogma that much of Christianity is most determined to inculcate in its people. Read on and comment » | Robert Spencer | Sunday, November 22, 2015

Archbishop of Canterbury Condemns Politicians Who View Immigration as a ‘Deep Menace’

The Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Rev Justin Welby

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Justin Welby describes tone of debate about immigration as un-Christian and un-British in wake of Michael Fallon's claim that people feel ‘swamped’

The Archbishop of Canterbury has condemned politicians who speak of immigration as a "deep menace" which will "overwhelm" the country for voicing un-Christian and un-British rhetoric.

The Most Rev Justin Welby’s comments came as the Defence Secretary Michael Fallon apologised for claiming that some communities feel “swamped” and “under siege” from migrant workers.

Mr Fallon, who was slapped down by Downing Street, said he had been “a little careless” in his language.

The Archbishop, whose grandfather came to Britain as a German Jew, said clergy across the country are reporting an upsurge in “frightening” racist language in their communities.

While refusing to comment on Mr Fallon's remarks directly, the Archbishop said it was wrong to view immigration as “something that is somehow going to overwhelm” Britain. » | John Bingham and Georgia Graham | Monday, October 27, 2014

Archbishop of Canterbury Arrives in Pakistan to Support Embattled Christians

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Religious minority has suffered blasphemy accusations, terrorists attacks and forced conversions as persecution increases

The Archbishop of Canterbury has arrived in Pakistan to show his backing for the country’s persecuted Christian minority and to ask Muslim leaders for help in building better relations.

The Most Rev Justin Welby is due to meet politicians as well as bishops from the Church of Pakistan before travelling to Bangladesh and India.

The trip, conducted amid tight security, is part of a promise to meet leaders of the Anglican community as early as possible after taking up office and comes as Christians in some parts of the developing world suffer attacks at the hands of Islamist groups.

Xavier William, of Life for All Ministries who is due to meet the archbishop on Wednesday, said the visit was a source of comfort at a time when Pakistan’s Christian community - and other religious minorities – faced unprecedented pressure.

“We are seeing that persecution of Christians has got worse here in recent years,” he said. » | Rob Crilly, Islamabad | Tuesday, May 27, 2014

Welby Tells Church to Accept Gay 'Marriage' or Be Seen as 'Akin to Racists'

The Most Rev. Justin Welby

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Archishop of Canterbury insists it is not ‘wishy-washy’ to accommodate people with different views as the Church of England grapples with homosexuality and women bishops

The Archbishop of Canterbury has told the Church of England it may have to accept changes many members do not like for the sake of unity – as it prepares for a battle over wedding-like blessing services for gay couples.

The Most Rev Justin Welby acknowledged that many Anglicans would view the idea of special services honouring same-sex relationships as a “betrayal” of its traditions and even “apostacy” [sic] .

But he warned that others would see the Church as increasingly “irrelevant” and promoting attitudes “akin to racism” if it does not introduce them.

In a personal address to the Church’s decision-making General Synod, which is meeting in London, he urged members not to be afraid of “incoherence and inconsistency” in some cases and “untidy” arrangements to avoid splits.

He insisted that it was not “wishy-washy” to attempt to accommodate people with opposing views and said it was time for a massive “cultural change” in how it approaches disagreement. » | John Bingham | Wednesday, February 12, 2014

Uganda Archbishop Responds to Welby on Anti-gay Laws

BBC: The head of the Anglican Church in Uganda has given a critical response to a letter from the Archbishops of Canterbury and York warning that gays and lesbians should not be victimised.

Their letter was sent to all presiding archbishops of the Anglican Communion.

It was also sent to the presidents of Uganda and Nigeria, which have recently introduced anti-gay legislation.

Archbishop Stanley Ntagali responded that "homosexual practice is incompatible with Scripture".

He said he hoped the Church of England would "step back from the path" it had set itself on "so the Church of Uganda will be able to maintain communion with our own Mother Church".

In the letter, Archbishops Justin Welby and John Sentamu said they were responding to questions asked about the Church of England's attitude to laws penalising "people with same-sex attraction".

Homosexuals were loved and valued by God and deserved the "best pastoral care and friendship", they said. » | Friday, January 31, 2014

Related »

Archbishops Criticise Nigerian and Ugandan Anti-gay Laws

Archbishop Welby is on a five-day tour of four African countries

BBC: The Archbishops of Canterbury and York have written to the presidents of Nigeria and Uganda, after being asked about laws there penalising gay people.

The letter said homosexual people were loved and valued by God and should not be victimised or diminished.

Nigeria and Uganda have both passed legislation targeting people with same-sex attraction.

The letter is also addressed to all primates (heads of national Churches) in the worldwide Anglican Communion.

Archbishops Justin Welby of Canterbury and John Sentamu of York said the letter was a result of "questions about the Church of England's attitude to new legislation in several countries that penalises people with same-sex attraction".

The letter comes as Archbishop Welby starts a five-day tour of four African countries. » | Thursday, January 30, 2014

'Pray for the Kenya Terrorists': Archbishop of Canterbury Faces Controversy after Urging People Not to Forget the 'Captors' in Their Prayers

MAIL ONLINE: Justin Welby reveals he has prayed for both the gunmen and victims / Archbishop says what he has done is in line with Jesus's teachings / Ten Britons now feared to be among the victims of attack in Nairobi

The Archbishop of Canterbury today urged Christians around the world to pray for the terrorists who brutally killed at least 67 in Nairobi.

Justin Welby told worshippers not to forget 'the captors' in their prayers, so they can see that violence 'won't have the last word'.

He revealed that he himself had prayed for both the gunmen and the victims, and said that to do so was in line with Jesus Christ's teachings. Read on and comment » | Daniel Martin | Thursday, September 26, 2013

Archbishop of Canterbury Condemns 'Unacceptable' Attacks on Muslims

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: The Archbishop of Canterbury has said he does not want to live in a "monocultural" society and condemned "unacceptable" and "inexcusable" attacks on Muslims over recent weeks.

Speaking at Featherstone High School in Southall, west London, the Most Rev Justin Welby described attacks on mosques in the wake of the murder of Fusilier Lee Rigby earlier this year as "evil actions".

"The attacks on minority ethnic groups across the country that there have been over the last few weeks are inexecusable [sic], unacceptable and a scandal to a tradition of hospitality in this country of which we should be deeply proud and which has contributed far more to us than it has taken from us," he said.

He added: "I want, as I have already done, to acknowledge the pressure that our Muslim friends and colleagues have faced over the last few weeks.

"There have been terrible attacks, I know that the vast majority of those in this country and especially people of faith would join me in condemning utterly any act of violence against anyone because of their faith.

"We want you to know that we stand with you, we will do so privately and publicly. We will do so persistently and I pray in the grace of God, persuasively.

"We will do all we can to support the security forces, the police, in bringing to justice those who seek to spread hate and cause division in our community."

Welby told his audience that diversity was a "gift not a threat" and he did not want to live in a "monocultural" society. He said he "rejoiced" in the example of inter[-]faith cooperation and community work he had witnessed in Southall.

"Diversity is a gift, not a threat, it is a hope, not a danger," he said. » | News agencies | Monday, July 22, 2013

Welby Calls for Church to Join the Sexual ‘Revolution’

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: The Archbishop of Canterbury has warned the Church of England that it had to face up to a “revolution” in attitudes to homosexuality.

In his most widely anticipated address since taking over the leadership of the Church, the Most Rev Justin Welby insisted that it was now “absurd and impossible” to ignore an “overwhelming” change in social attitudes.

In a deliberate echo of Harold MacMillan’s 1950 speech which attacked apartheid in South Africa, the Archbishop warned church leaders that they needed to reassess their own attitudes to gay people – even if they do not “like it”.

While insisting he had no immediate plans to change policy on issues such as gay marriage, he announced a major campaign to curb anti-gay bullying in the Church of England’s more than 5,000 schools.

He is understood to have approached Stonewall, which led the campaign in favour of gay marriage, to invite it into church schools to teach up to a million children about homosexuality.

“We may or may not like it but we must accept that there is a revolution in the area of sexuality,” the Archbishop said.

His comments, signalling a dramatic change in tone from the established church, came in his first address as Archbishop to the Church’s General Synod which is meeting in York as it attempts to come up with a new solution to the fiasco over women bishops. » | John Bingham, Religious Affairs Editor | Friday, July 05, 2013

Gay Marriage Weakens Society, Says Archbishop of Canterbury

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Allowing gay couples to marry would “diminish” Christian marriage and damage the fabric of society, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, has warned.

In his first major intervention in the debate, the Most Rev Justin Welby said he could not support David Cameron’s same-sex marriage Bill in its current form.

He warned that the reform “weakened” the concept of the “normal” family as the basis for a strong community and replaced traditional marriage with something “less good”.

Archbishop Welby has been reluctant to join the public condemnation of the reforms, despite widespread opposition from Anglicans, Roman Catholics, Muslims and other faith organisations.

The Church of England has previously adopted a more conciliatory position towards the reforms, acknowledging that parliament was likely to pass the Bill and seeking to secure legal protections from ministers to stop churches being forced to conduct gay marriages. » | Tim Ross, and John Bingham | Monday, June 03, 2013