Overview

• 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.