Archbishop Justin Welby Resigns Amid Abuse Scandal

Archbishop Justin Welby of the Church of England announced his resignation following revelations from the Makin Report, which criticized his inadequate response to allegations of sexual abuse against John Smyth, a former church camp operator. The report stated that Smyth sexually abused approximately 130 boys over several decades, and Welby's failure to act decisively has been termed a 'conspiracy of silence' within the church. In his resignation letter, Welby accepted both personal and institutional responsibility, expressing deep regret for the church’s historic safeguarding failures. His departure marks a significant moment as it is the first resignation of an Anglican archbishop linked to an abuse scandal. While Welby initially resisted calls to resign, mounting pressure ultimately led to his decision. His resignation signals a moral responsibility that leaders should uphold, emphasizing the need for accountability in institutional failures.