Wed 13 Nov 2024 by Heather Preston
Christian leaders across the Church are sharing their responses to the recent resignation of the Archbishop of Canterbury.
The Most Rev Justin Welby stepped down on Tuesday as the 105th Archbishop of Canterbury, following criticism for his handling of abuse cases involving the late barrister John Smyth.
The Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell, called Welby’s decision “the right and honourable thing,” praising his work toward safeguarding reform and committing to ensure that similar failures “never happen again.”
Rt Rev Dr. Helen-Ann Hartley, Bishop of Newcastle, who played a key role in urging Welby’s resignation, stated it did not “solve the Church’s profound failure over safeguarding and the ongoing trauma” for victims. She has called for a cultural shift in the Church to prioritise protecting the vulnerable over its own reputation.
The Bishop of Winchester, Rt Revd Philip Mounstephen acknowledged the “appalling abuse” suffered by victims in his diocese under John Smyth. Expressing sadness over Welby’s resignation, he praised his “immense leadership” and stressed the need to make “God’s church as safe as it can be.”
Former General Synod member, journalist and campaigner Gavin Drake says Archbishop Justin’s resignation “will NOT make the Church of England a safe place” but will prevent others from being held to account, with “woeful” safeguard structures that operate to protect its reputation.
Rt Rev Stephen Conway, Bishop of Lincoln, who was also named in the Makin report for failing to act decisively on Smyth-related abuse cases, stated he is “deeply sorry” for not pressing Lambeth “more rigorously” after reporting the claims in 2013.
Rt Rev Gill Duff, Bishop of Lancaster, told Premier Christian News that the Church lacks “clear governance and responsibility” in handling safeguarding, adding that she believes “God is waking up the Church of England.”
Sam Wells, vicar of St Martin-in-the-Fields and close friend of Welby, praised his “dignity and selflessness,” calling it tragic that the career of “a person of singular faith, courage, humility, and integrity” should end this way. Wells is married to Bishop Jo Bailey Wells, who was also mentioned in the Makin report regarding a police investigation.
The Church of England’s lead bishop for safeguarding, Rt Rev Joanne Grenfell, Bishop of Stepney, highlighted the “retraumatising effects” of the Makin report on survivors, emphasising that “the responsibility for good safeguarding in the Church of England lies with every one of us.”
On X, Krish Kandiah expressed that Welby’s resignation was necessary, and he was “deeply grateful” for Welby’s “strong, principled stance against the harmful Rwanda immigration deal” and his passion for sharing the good news of Jesus.
Gavin Calver, CEO of the Evangelical Alliance, posted on X that he is “praying for the Anglican Church” and asked the Lord to “heal hurts, right wrongs, bring reconciliation, and raise up the right person to take on this strategic and profoundly challenging role”.
