Archbishop Justin Welby’s position under threat as petition and senior clergy demand his resignation following Church’s handling of child abuse scandal

Calls for Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby’s resignation are intensifying after a senior bishop publicly urged him to step down.

The Bishop of Newcastle, Helen-Ann Hartley, recently broke ranks, adding her voice to those demanding his resignation following a troubling report that revealed Welby’s inaction had allowed a notorious child abuser to escape justice.

Hartley, one of the senior bishops in the Church of England, stated that Welby’s continued leadership threatens the Church’s moral authority.

Widespread Support for Resignation

A growing number of influential Church members, including several high-profile priests, are joining the call for Welby’s resignation.

A petition initiated by three members of the Church’s governing body, the General Synod, has gained traction and exceeded 7,500 signatures.

Reverend Marcus Walker, a rector in London and one of the petition’s co-sponsors, described Hartley’s statement as “significant,” noting that bishops rarely speak out on such matters.

Walker emphasized that while he sympathizes with Welby, the scandal has reached a point where it cannot be ignored.

Failure to Report the Case of John Smyth

The report at the center of the scandal found that Welby “could and should” have played a role in alerting authorities about John Smyth, a barrister who reportedly abused over 100 boys and young men.

Despite being informed in 2013 that a “police referral had been made,” Welby did not follow up, mistakenly believing the case was being handled.

The review concluded that Welby’s failure to take action reflected a “moral responsibility” he held but did not fulfill.

By the time the allegations surfaced in 2017, significant damage had already been done.

Survivors Demand Accountability

Survivors of Smyth’s abuse have also expressed disappointment with Welby’s response.

Andrew Morse, who was abused by Smyth in his youth, shared that he believes Welby prioritized the Church’s image over the well-being of victims.

Morse, who attempted suicide twice as a result of the trauma, voiced his disillusionment, saying, “It feels like he prioritized his position and the reputation of the Church over the suffering of the victims and even potential future victims.”

Morse’s sentiments are echoed by others who feel that Welby’s actions in 2013 represented a severe betrayal of those affected by Smyth’s abuse.

The Church’s Reputation at Stake

The report, authored by former social services director Keith Makin, exposes significant failures within the Church of England, accusing its leadership of covering up the abuse “at the highest level.”

Smyth’s abusive actions continued unchecked for years, and his eventual death in 2018 in South Africa occurred while he was under investigation by British police.

The findings suggest that this cover-up has deeply damaged the Church’s credibility, leading many clergy members and abuse survivors to conclude that a change in leadership is essential for the Church to regain public trust.

What’s Next for the Church of England?

As pressure mounts on Archbishop Welby, he faces a critical decision that could shape the Church of England’s future.

While he has expressed regret and acknowledged that he considered resigning, he recently stated that he has no plans to step down.

However, with public opinion shifting, support for his leadership dwindling, and the moral authority of the Church under intense scrutiny, Welby’s position may become increasingly difficult to sustain.

The Church’s next steps will likely depend on how it chooses to address its handling of the Smyth case and regain the trust of both its members and the public at large.

This article was published on TDPel Media. Thanks for reading!

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