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There are mounting calls for the Archbishop of Canterbury to resign following a damning report into the Church of England’s handling of a child abuse case. Anglican priest Giles Fraser has told the BBC that the Most Rev Justin Welby has “lost the confidence of his clergy” and that his position is untenable. Three members of the Church’s parliament, the General Synod, have initiated a petition demanding the Archbishop’s resignation over his alleged “failures” to report the abhorrent abuse of boys and young men at Christian summer camps by John Smyth QC, a prolific child abuser associated with the Church of England.
Reportedly, the Church’s handling of the Smyth case was subjected to an independent review, which revealed that the Most Rev Justin Welby had an opportunity to report the case to authorities when details were presented to him in 2013 but “could and should” have been more rigorous in his follow-up. The Makin review into Smyth’s case said he may have been brought to justice for decades of abuse before his death in 2018 had he been formally reported to authorities a decade ago. Smyth died aged 75 while under investigation by Hampshire Police.
In response, Mr Welby stated that he is “deeply sorry that this abuse happened” and that he had no idea of it before 2013. He also acknowledged that he should have more rigorously followed up the details and disclosed that he had considered resigning last week but ultimately decided to stay in his role as the Archbishop of Canterbury. Although the petition is gathering momentum, some Church leaders have not yet called for the Archbishop’s resignation, and there have been conflicting opinions within the Church about whether or not Welby should be allowed to remain in his position.
Meanwhile, the Church’s lead safeguarding bishop, the Rt Rev Joanne Grenfell, has expressed appreciation that the Archbishop has “wholeheartedly apologised”, but she declined to state whether he should resign. Mr Fraser asserts that the Archbishop “really [had] to go” in light of the ongoing revelations about abuse within the Church, which have done immeasurable damage to the Church’s reputation and credibility. The situation is clearly a difficult and painful one for all involved, and it remains to be seen what the outcome will be.
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