Archbishop of Canterbury Resigns Over Handling of Child Sex Abuse Scandal

Justin Welby, the Archbishop of Canterbury, who crowned King Charles and married Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, has resigned amid criticism of how he handled a probe into “the most prolific serial abuser” linked to the Church of England.

Welby, 68, announced his resignation in a statement on Nov. 12, following the release of an independent review led by Keith Makin, a former social services director. Commissioned by the Church of England, the report assessed the Church’s response to abuse allegations against the late John Smyth, a volunteer at Christian summer camps.

In his statement, Welby said he was stepping down “in sorrow” after seeking the “gracious permission of His Majesty The King.” Calls for his resignation had intensified since the report was published last Thursday, which found that Welby had not ensured a thorough investigation into accusations of abuse involving over 100 boys and young men at Christian camps decades ago.

Smyth was a British attorney who “attacked boys who he met at Christian summer camps in the 1970s and 1980s” and is “believed to be the most prolific serial abuser associated with the Church of England,” the BBC reported.

Welby referenced the King in his resignation statement and cited the findings of Makin’s report.

“Having sought the gracious permission of His Majesty The King, 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,” Welby said.

“When I was informed in 2013 and told that police had been notified, I believed wrongly that an appropriate resolution would follow.  It is very clear that I must take personal and institutional responsibility for the long and retraumatizing period between 2013 and 2024,” he continued.

“It is my duty to honor my Constitutional and church responsibilities, so exact timings will be decided once a review of necessary obligations has been completed, including those in England and in the Anglican Communion,” he said. “I hope this decision makes clear how seriously the Church of England understands the need for change and our profound commitment to creating a safer church. As I step down I do so in sorrow with all victims and survivors of abuse.”

“The last few days have renewed my long felt and profound sense of shame at the historic safeguarding failures of the Church of England. For nearly twelve years I have struggled to introduce improvements. It is for others to judge what has been done,” he said. “In the meantime, I will follow through on my commitment to meet victims. I will delegate all my other current responsibilities for safeguarding until the necessary risk assessment process is complete.”

Welby asked for prayers for his family at this time, and emphasized that he believed stepping aside was in the best interests of the Church at this time. 

Welby is the most senior bishop of the Church of England, of which King Charles is the ceremonial head. In May 2023, Welby was the one to place the St. Edward’s Crown on King Charles’ head at his coronation. He also spoke at Queen Elizabeth‘s state funeral in September 2022 and memorably married the Duke and Duchess of Sussex in May 2018. 

Welby was ordained in 1992 and was announced as the 105th Archbishop of Canterbury in 2012. His high-profile post brought him into close proximity with the royal family, and he played a key role in many of their religious ceremonies.

Welby officiated the christenings of Prince William and Kate Middleton‘s children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, and baptized Meghan into the Church of England before she married Prince Harry. He also led the funeral of Prince Philip in April 2021, and met with Queen Elizabeth in June 2022, later reflecting he felt the monarch had “no fear” of death.

He became a Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order in May 2024 for his pivotal role at the coronation of King Charles and Queen Camilla, and appeared at the State Opening of Parliament over the summer. 

The Archbishop previously spoke about struggling with depression, and thanked Prince William for his work in highlighting mental health in an editorial for The Sunday Times in 2020.

If you or someone you know has been a victim of sexual abuse, text “STRENGTH” to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 to be connected to a certified crisis counselor.