The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, will not take part in any public Christmas services this year despite officially holding his position until January. This decision follows his announcement in November that he would resign due to the Church’s mishandling of one of its most significant abuse scandals.
Welby, who has led the Church of England since 2013, will instead spend the festive season privately with his family. The resignation stems from a damning report published in the wake of the John Smyth abuse scandal, which revealed that Welby failed to report Smyth to authorities in 2013, despite knowing about his abusive actions. Smyth was a key figure in one of the most extensive abuse cases linked to the Church, harming more than 100 boys at summer camps in England and later in South Africa.
Following the report, Welby accepted responsibility and announced his decision to resign, expressing sorrow for the victims. The resignation, set to take effect by January 6, will temporarily leave the Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell, to handle Welby’s official functions.
The appointment of Welby’s successor is expected to take about six months. This resignation marks a pivotal moment for the Church of England, as it underscores the urgent need for enhanced safeguarding protocols. Despite the resignation, some critics feel that more individuals should step down, especially those involved in what has been called a “conspiracy of silence.”
The Church’s response to the scandal and Welby’s resignation continues to provoke discussions about transparency, accountability, and the long-term effects on the Anglican community.
BBC NEWS, REUTERS, CNN, GUARDIANS
