Archbishop Justin Welby Resigns Amid Scandal: Church of England Faces Reckoning Over Sex Abuse Cover-up

Failure to Report Decades of Abuse by Church Camp Volunteer Sparks Global Outcry

In a stunning turn for the Church of England, Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby has resigned following revelations of his failure to report sexual and physical abuse by a church volunteer. The 68-year-old leader of the worldwide Anglican Communion announced his decision to step down Tuesday, acknowledging his role in the delayed response to allegations of abuse by the late John Smyth, a prominent attorney and church volunteer who preyed on young boys and men for decades.

Welby’s departure comes amid mounting pressure within the church’s ranks, with many parishioners and clergy calling for accountability at the highest levels. The scandal centers on revelations from the Makin Review, a 251-page report detailing abuse dating back to the 1970s and covering Smyth’s actions across the U.K., Zimbabwe, and South Africa. The report found that Smyth’s abuse went unreported for years due to an “active cover-up” within the church, allowing him to harm around 115 young boys and men over a period of five decades.

A History of Silence: Failure to Act on Abuse Allegations
Church officials first learned of the abuse allegations against Smyth in 1982, decades before Welby assumed leadership. However, the report revealed that Welby himself learned of the allegations in 2013 but did not notify authorities. In a statement, Welby expressed deep remorse, saying, “It is very clear that I must take personal and institutional responsibility for the long and retraumatizing period between 2013 and 2024. I believe that stepping aside is in the best interests of the Church of England.”

Victims’ advocates and legal experts decried the church’s silence, accusing top leaders of fostering a culture of secrecy and negligence. Survivors of Smyth’s abuse, many of whom endured physical, psychological, and sexual trauma, have argued that the church’s response prolonged their suffering and obstructed justice.

Moral Authority in Crisis: Welby’s Troubling Tenure
Welby’s tenure as Archbishop had already been controversial due to his approach on issues of sexuality and marriage. Most recently, he drew criticism for remarks on the podcast The Rest is Politics, in which he suggested that “all sexual activity should be within a committed relationship … whether it’s straight or gay.” This stance, while intended to reflect a compassionate position on LGBTQ+ relationships, ran counter to the Church of England’s official doctrine, which upholds marriage as a lifelong union between a man and a woman.

Welby furthered the debate by proposing that same-sex couples who marry in civil ceremonies be offered church blessings. “We’re not giving up on the idea that sex is within marriage,” Welby stated, “and that … people should be able to come along to a church and have a service of prayer and blessing for them in their lives together.” His comments ignited a backlash, with critics accusing the church of straying from its theological roots.

A Church at the Crossroads
With Welby’s resignation, the Church of England faces a defining moment. The scandals surrounding both the abuse cover-up and the debates over sexuality have raised questions about its role in modern society and the strength of its moral convictions. While the church has committed to a series of reforms in the wake of the Smyth scandal, critics insist that true accountability requires deeper structural changes.

The next Archbishop of Canterbury will be tasked with navigating these challenges and restoring trust in an institution shaken by scandal and internal conflict. Welby’s exit, while a moment of reckoning, is also a call to action for an embattled church seeking to reconcile with its past while charting a clearer, more principled future.