Justin Welby Reflects on Resignation Over Mishandling Abuse Allegations

The former Archbishop of Canterbury admits to being overwhelmed by the scale of abuse cases, as the Church of England faces ongoing scrutiny and calls for reform.

• Justin Welby, who resigned as Archbishop of Canterbury in November 2024, acknowledged failing to follow proper procedures in addressing abuse allegations against John Smyth.
• In a BBC interview, Welby admitted being overwhelmed by the sheer volume of abuse cases, calling it a reason but not an excuse for his inaction.
• The Makin Review revealed that John Smyth abused over 130 boys and young men across five decades, with the Church failing to report him to authorities in 2013.
• Welby faced criticism for a tone-deaf speech in the House of Lords after his resignation, for which he later apologized to survivors of abuse.
• The Church of England continues to face investigations into safeguarding failures, with at least 30 officials under scrutiny and calls for systemic reform growing louder.

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