Calls for Archbishop Welby’s resignation grow amid church abuse scandal

Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby is facing calls to resign following a damning report that concluded the Church of England failed to act on horrific abuse committed by barrister John Smyth QC, an advocate and lay figure within the church. Fr Robert Thompson, one of the clergy members advocating for Welby’s resignation, expressed doubts about the Archbishop’s commitment to genuine reform, saying he isn’t convinced that Welby is “serious about reform” in response to the scandal.

The scandal revolves around Smyth’s extensive abuse of young men and boys, which included physical, sexual, psychological, and spiritual attacks that spanned five decades across multiple countries. Smyth died in 2018 at age 75, under investigation by UK authorities, and was never brought to justice. Last week, the independent Makin review revealed that despite opportunities to report Smyth, the Church repeatedly failed to do so, and it is believed Smyth could have faced justice had Welby acted sooner.

Fr Thompson, along with other members of the Church’s General Synod, launched a petition calling for Welby’s resignation. Gathering over 1,500 signatures, the petition argues that Welby’s leadership is “no longer tenable” and said, “We must see change, for the sake of survivors, for the protection of the vulnerable, and for the good of the church.”

Thompson shared that victims still feel neglected by the Church. “They feel gaslighted, they feel neglected, they feel as if people won’t meet with them,” he told Sky News. “I think the reality is that Justin is making far too much of the changes that he has made because it doesn’t feel like that on the ground for victims and survivors.”

The Makin report detailed how Smyth’s abuse continued unchecked, reaching as many as 130 boys and young men. Despite his participation in the Iwerne Christian camps in the 1970s, where Welby and Smyth crossed paths, the report noted that Welby had “no idea or suspicion of this abuse” until 2013. Welby, however, admitted that he “personally failed to ensure” the abuse was fully investigated after it came to light.

The call for change is echoed within the church’s hierarchy. Fr Thompson advocates for a “complete culture change” within the episcopacy and a shift towards independent safeguarding measures, stating that survivors and many clergy will no longer accept anything less. “Hold us to account in parliament,” Thompson urged, adding that bishops “almost act as monarchs within their own diocese,” with insufficient accountability.

Bishop of Newcastle Helen-Ann Hartley suggested Welby’s resignation could signify a fresh start. “It would be a very clear indication that a line has been drawn,” she told the BBC, pressing the need for independent safeguarding to restore credibility. “We are in danger of losing complete credibility on that front,” she warned.

Giles Fraser, vicar of St Anne’s in Kew, reinforced the loss of faith within church leadership, saying, “I’m afraid he’s really lost the confidence of his clergy, he’s lost the confidence of many of his bishops and his position is completely untenable.”

Although the Archbishop confirmed to Channel 4 that he had been considering resignation, he said, “I am not going to resign.” The Church of England responded to the findings by expressing “deep sorrow” for the abuses and condemned any covering up of such actions, underscoring the urgency for institutional change.

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