Archbishop of Canterbury Resigns Amid Abuse Scandal

Justin Welby has resigned as Archbishop of Canterbury following a damning independent report that criticized his failure to act on decades of abuse committed by John Smyth, a former barrister who victimized over 130 boys. In his resignation letter, Welby expressed sorrow for the victims and acknowledged his long-standing shame regarding the Church of England's safeguarding failures. Despite his claims of being unaware of Smyth's actions until 2013, the report suggested he should have reported concerns as early as the 1980s. Smyth's abusive history, which spanned several decades, included sadistic acts at Christian camps, leading to severe trauma for many survivors. Calls for further resignations and accountability within the Church have intensified following Welby’s departure, with survivors demanding more transparency and justice. This incident has reignited discussions on the Church's historical negligence in addressing abuse claims.