Global

Archbishop of Canterbury Welby Resigns Over Abuse Scandal Handling

Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby had announced his resignation on Tuesday, expressing deep regret over his handling of abuse allegations against a former volunteer at Christian summer camps. 

Welby, the spiritual leader of 85 million Anglicans worldwide, acknowledged he had failed to ensure a thorough investigation into abuse spanning decades.

In his resignation letter, Welby stated his responsibility for the Church of England’s “historic safeguarding failures” and voiced a renewed “sense of shame” over the issue. 

“I step down in sorrow with all victims and survivors of abuse,” Welby wrote, stressing the Church’s commitment to reform.

Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell described Welby’s resignation as “the right and honourable thing to do.” 

Welby’s decade-long leadership was marked by internal disputes over LGBTQ+ rights and women’s ordination, often dividing Anglican churches across regions. African churches, particularly in Uganda and Nigeria, had lost confidence in Welby’s leadership, welcoming news of his resignation.

The resignation follows last week’s release of the independent Makin Report, which criticized Welby’s handling of allegations against John Smyth, a British lawyer and serial abuser associated with Christian camps in England. Smyth, who worked with the Iwerne Trust and continued his abuse in Africa, inflicted severe physical and sexual abuse on over 100 boys and young men between the 1970s and his death in 2018.

Welby’s successor will face the challenge of maintaining unity within the global Anglican community and reversing a notable decline in British church attendance, which has fallen by 20% since 2019.

Follow us on:

AriseNews

Recent Posts

Biden and Trump Meet in Oval Office, Stress Unity and Smooth Transition Before January Inauguration

Trump and Biden have met for the first time since the 2024 election, pledging a…

4 hours ago

Trump Selects Matt Gaetz as Attorney General, Rubio and Gabbard for Key Roles in Cabinet Shake-up

In a surprising Cabinet shake-up, Trump has appointed Gaetz as Attorney General, Rubio as Secretary…

4 hours ago

NNPC Carries Out Leadership Shakeup, Appoints Adedapo Segun As New CFO

NNPC has carried out a management shakeup, appointing a new CFO and two EVPs, to…

4 hours ago

Elon Musk Says New York to London ‘Now Possible’ in 30 minutes under Trump Administration

Elon Musk aims to redefine global travel with SpaceX’s Starship rocket, promising intercontinental flights under…

5 hours ago

Ogoni People Deserve Justice Through Nonviolence, Ledum Mitee Says, Calls For Lasting Recognition, Environmental Restoration

Ledum Mitee has affirmed that Ogoni people will present their demands to Tinubu within the…

5 hours ago

Armed Vandals Attack TCN’s Obajana Power Project, Critical Infrastructure Damaged

The TCN has revealed that armed vandals damaged critical infrastructure in an attack on the…

6 hours ago