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Archbishop of Canterbury resigns over sex abuse scandal and Church cover-up

Justin Welby resignation news
John Smyth (L), Justin Welby (R).

Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby has resigned following the release of the Makin Review, an independent investigation into abuses by the late John Smyth, a youth pastor linked to the Church of England.

The report uncovered decades of “sadistic beatings” inflicted on young boys in the 1970s and 1980s, revealing that Church officials, including Welby, had been aware of accusations but failed to take effective action.

In his resignation Welby wrote of his “profound regret” and accepted both personal and institutional responsibility for the Church’s inaction, calling it a period of “long and retraumatising” failures.

Smyth, a former lawyer who died in 2018 without facing criminal charges, was under investigation for abuses that were allegedly hidden to protect the Church’s reputation.

The Makin Review estimates that over 100 boys were subjected to Smyth’s brutal regime, which included severe physical punishments motivated by sexual sadism.

The report’s findings have sparked outrage, especially as high-ranking Church figures were aware but silent about Smyth’s conduct, prioritising the Church’s image over victim welfare.

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4 COMMENTS

  1. It’s about time this pouty little man went. He has hung on in there for twenty years too long.
    The Archbishop of York is second in command and seems to be a decent sort. There are complaints he is too old but that is just an excuse. He is 66.
    Third in line of succession is the Bishop of London, Sarah Mullally – in 2023 she described the Church’s welcoming of same-sex couples into the institution as a “moment of hope”. Probably the Starmer favourite. No surprise about that. Put her in the top position and the CofE, wobbly enough as it is, will collapse entirely.

  2. Lightweight stuff when compared to a Catholic education here in NZ at the hands of the Marists brothers during the 50’s and 60’s. Child abuse was a regular feature of their activities and educational system, whole classes caned, two stripes on each hand just to warm us up for the day. I kid you not.

    Sexual deviants and psychopaths wearing long frocks. Children at their mercy daily living in fear. I would not like to be in their shoes when they stand before the LORD. There won’t be enough mill stones to go around. No matter the church or religious persuasion, abuse of the vulnerable is never acceptable.

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