LONDON — The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, has resigned following the release of an independent review revealing that the Church of England covered up decades of abuse by late barrister John Smyth QC. The Makin review, published last week, detailed Smyth’s abusive actions against children and young men and concluded that he evaded justice due to institutional inaction.
The report has prompted widespread calls for accountability, leading to Welby’s decision to step down. In a statement, the Archbishop acknowledged his role in the matter, saying, “It is very clear that I must take personal and institutional responsibility for the long and retraumatizing period between 2013 and 2024.”
Reflecting on his handling of the situation, Welby expressed regret for his belief in 2013 that an appropriate resolution would be reached after police were informed about Smyth’s activities. “The report exposed the long-maintained conspiracy of silence about the heinous abuses of John Smyth,” Welby stated, admitting that his failure to escalate the matter likely contributed to further delays in justice.
Smyth, who died in Cape Town in 2018 while under investigation by Hampshire Police, is said to have inflicted severe physical, sexual, psychological, and spiritual abuse on his victims. The Makin review noted that, had the case been properly reported, Smyth “might have been brought to justice.”
Welby also revealed that he had “sought the gracious permission of His Majesty The King” to resign, marking an end to his tenure as leader of the Anglican Church.
