Archbishop Justin Welby Resigns Amid Abuse Scandal

Justin Welby has resigned as Archbishop of Canterbury amid a scandal involving the Church of England's longstanding mishandling of child abuse allegations linked to John Smyth, a notorious figure within the church. An independent report indicated that Welby may have had knowledge of Smyth's abusive behavior during the 1970s, despite his claims of ignorance. His resignation, described as unprecedented in church history, follows intense scrutiny regarding his failure to act decisively on safeguarding issues since he became aware of them in 2013. In his resignation statement, Welby expressed sorrow over the church's historic failures and a commitment to creating a safer environment for victims and survivors of abuse. His tenure, which included advocacy on various social issues, was ultimately overshadowed by these allegations, leading to his decision to step down in the interest of the Church. Welby's departure raises significant questions about the church's institutional failures and the need for comprehensive reform.