The now former Archbishop of Canterbury resigned yesterday (November 12) following mounting pressure in response to the content of the Makin review – which detailed abuse by former barrister John Smyth.
Mr Welby’s successor will become the 106th Archbishop of Canterbury, with Stephen Cottrell – the Archbishop of York – among the possible successors. Stephen Cottrell will assume the role as the Church of England’s temporary leader, as the selection process takes place.
Others candidates include Dame Sarah Mullally, Bishop of London; Dr Guli Francis-Dehqani, Bishop of Chelmsford; Michael Beasley, Bishop of Bath and Wells; Martyn Snow, Bishop of Leicester; and Graham Usher, Bishop of Norwich.
The Archbishop of York has said he does not think any more bishops should resign in the wake of the report into abuse by John Smyth.
Asked on BBC Radio 4 Today, he said: “Those who actively covered this up (should resign), which was not bishops.
“When people speak about the Church of England we need to remember we are speaking about literally thousands of branches, parishes, chaplaincies.”
Asked if more bishops should resign, he said: “The Archbishop of Canterbury has resigned.”
Mr Cottrell added: “Yes (that is enough) because he has resigned for the institutional failings.”
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The Archbishop of Canterbury “relied too much on others” when he did not formally alert authorities about the most prolific abuser associated with the Church of England in 2013, Archbishop Stephen said.
He added: “I admire the decision he (Mr Welby) has made to take personal responsibility for institutional failings.
“Well, I believe Archbishop Justin, you know this is the paradox of this, there have been great steps taken in safeguarding in the church under his watch.
“But in this case perhaps he relied too much on others, I simply don’t know, but I think what I am trying to focus on now is what we need to do to make the church a safer place.
“I believe we are moving.
“We are doing what has to be done through our synodical processes. Many of our changes need to go through Parliament itself.”
Professor Alexis Jay made recommendations in the Future of Church Safeguarding report, published in February, that two new bodies independent of the Church be established, with one responsible for delivering all safeguarding activities and another responsible for providing scrutiny and oversight of such activities.
Archbishop Stephen told Today: “I am frustrated, like Professor Jay, that that takes time, but those things are happening.”
Asked how long it is going to take to have independent safeguarding, he said: “I believe that, on the current plan, the response group to the Jay recommendations will come to the General Synod in 2025. That will bring about the changes.”
