Church of England Seeks New Archbishop

The resignation of Archbishop Justin Welby follows a critical report on John Smyth, a prolific child abuser linked to the Church of England. Bishop Rachel Treweek stated that anyone considering the role of Archbishop needs 'their head reading' and emphasized the difficulty of the position, especially given the need for transformative change within the Church. The process to appoint Welby's successor will take several months, with Bishop Guli Francis-Dehqani of Chelmsford being a strong contender for the role. The appointment will be made by King Charles III based on recommendations from the Crown Nominations Commission, which involves a comprehensive consultation process. The Church is under scrutiny for its handling of abuse cases, with calls for greater focus on supporting victims and survivors. The next Archbishop will be pivotal in leading the Church of England's efforts to restore trust and accountability.