Archbishop Welby Resigns Amid Criticism Over Handling of Abuse Case: Survivor Shares Painful Story
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, has announced his resignation following intense criticism over his response to the abuse case involving John Smyth, a prolific abuser linked to the Church of England, reported by BBC. Welby’s resignation follows findings from the Makin Review, which concluded that Smyth might have faced justice had Welby formally notified authorities in 2013.
Smyth, who was a lay reader and led Christian summer camps, died in Cape Town in 2018 at age 75 while under investigation by Hampshire Police. Despite extensive abuse allegations from over 130 boys and young men, he was “never brought to justice,” according to the review. Today on Good Morning Britain (GMB), host Susanna Reid interviewed Richard Gittins, one of Smyth’s victims, about his experience and the Church’s handling of the abuse case.
During the interview, Gittins questioned Reid, asking if she was seeking “graphic” details about his abuse. Reid responded, “Richard, while being entirely sensitive, I just wonder whether you can remind us of the abuse that John Smyth QC dealt out to boys and young men. In all the story of the resignation of the Archbishop of Canterbury, we must not lose sight of the actual crimes of the individual.” She continued, “At the heart of this is John Smyth QC, who is dead and will not face accountability for what he did to you and 130 other boys and young men.”
Gittins eventually opened up about his experiences, recalling that the abuse began during his second year at university. Initially presented as a form of commitment to his Christian faith, the punishments quickly escalated. “Over time, they turned into something severe. I would go on a weekly basis down to his house. I would be beaten on a three-weekly basis, and it probably ended up with about 200 lashings at a time,” he explained. “They would cause my bottom to bleed, and I would need nappies to stop the blood soaking onto my trousers.”
Yesterday, Archbishop Welby acknowledged the review’s findings, stating, “I have decided to resign as Archbishop of Canterbury… The Makin Review has exposed the long-maintained conspiracy of silence about the heinous abuses of John Smyth.” He expressed regret that he had failed to ensure an “energetic investigation” and described his resignation as a necessary step toward accountability.
Lambeth Palace confirmed that Welby had obtained permission from King Charles before announcing his decision. Welby expressed his sorrow to the survivors, adding, “For nearly 12 years, I have struggled to introduce improvements. It is for others to judge what has been done.” He assured that he would continue meeting with victims and delegate his safeguarding responsibilities as the Church conducts further risk assessments.
When Welby officially leaves his role, King Charles is expected to release a public statement, following protocol rather than indicating any personal distance from the Archbishop.