An independent church-commissioned report by Keith Makin released last week found Archbishop Welby did not do enough to stop John Smith and bring him to justice. The report revealed that Smith, a British lawyer and church activist, sexually abused boys and young people in the UK and South Africa over a period of more than 40 years. His victims were at least 115 people.
“I believe my resignation is in the best interests of the Church of England, which I love and have had the honor of serving,” Archbishop Justin Welby said after his resignation, Reuters reported. Ta.
Charles III accepted the priest's resignation. There was also a response from the British government on Tuesday evening, with a British government spokesperson saying: “Prime Minister Keir Starmer respects the Archbishop of Canterbury's decision to resign.”
Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby has resigned. This is the result of the report
As commented by the newspaper portal Church Times, the Archbishop of Canterbury is mentioned in the report as one of the church's decision-makers who was knowledgeable but reluctant.
“The Church of England had 'top-level' knowledge of the abuse since 2013, but failed to report the matter to the police or other appropriate authorities in South Africa, where Ms Smith died in 2018,” the report said. states. The portal said that boys and young people may have been abused in Africa “through the inaction of Anglican clergy”.
Since the report was published last week, there have been calls for Mr Welby to resign. Bishops also complained about this. Bishop Helen-Ann Hartley of Newcastle said Archbishop Welby's position was “untenable” after a petition was circulated among clergy calling for him to resign because he had “lost the confidence of the clergy”. ” he said.
Andrew Morse, one of Smith's victims, said Welby's resignation would be an opportunity to begin repairing the damage done to victims by the church's inaction.
Mr Morse told the BBC: “I think now is an opportunity for him to resign,” adding: “I stand with the victims of Mr Smith's abuse and all those who have not been treated properly by the Church of England. It will be an opportunity to stand up.” ”
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A British independent inquiry into child sexual abuse published two years ago found that there was a lack of respect for the authority of priests, taboos around discussing sexuality, and a culture that gave more support to alleged perpetrators than to victims. He claimed to have helped make the Church into England. ” This is where the criminal hides. ”
Mr Welby's supporters said he had played a key role in changing the church's culture since becoming Archbishop of Canterbury in 2013.
“I hope this decision makes clear how seriously the Church of England understands the need for change, and how deep our commitment to building a safer Church is. In resigning, I do so in sadness with all victims and survivors of abuse.'' The archbishop said in a statement that the past few days had revived a “deep sense of shame that I have felt for many years.'' emphasized. “I've been working hard to improve for almost 12 years. It's up to others to judge what has been done,” he said.
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