1 week ago
Last Updated:November 13, 2024, 10:39 IST
Justin Welby, who once likened Donald Trump to fascism, is accused of failing to inform police about sexual allegations on Smyth.
Former Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby (AP Image)
Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, the head of the Church of England and a Donald Trump critic, stepped down on Tuesday amid pressure over a long-running sexual abuse scandal.
The matter pertains to allegations of sexual and physical abuse concerning John Smyth, an attorney who abused over 100 boys and men for over five decades. Smyth had died in 2018 and was never held accountable for the alleged crimes.
Welby resigned after an independent investigation revealed that he did not inform the police about the physical and sexual abuse by Smyth even after knowing about them.
Welby was under intensified pressure after clergy members launched a petition demanding his resignation.
Notably, Welby had presided over the coronation of King Charles III and the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II as a head of the church. He had also presided over the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.
Who Is Justin Welby?
Justin Welby is a Trump critic who likened the upcoming US President to fascism.
The Archbishop of Canterbury is the head of the Church of England and is traditionally seen as the spiritual leader of the Anglican Communion.
Welby, 68, was the 105th Archbishop of Canterbury. In his early life, he worked in the oil industry for 11 years before leaving it in 1989 to take up studies for the priesthood.
He became the priest of the church in 1992 and worked in Africa and the Middle East before taking up the role of the Archbishop of Canterbury in 2013.
What Is The Sexual Abuse Scandal?
The independent investigation released its long-awaited report into the crimes of John Smyth who sexually and physically abused boys and men at Christian summer camps in the United Kingdom, Zimbabwe, and South Africa over five decades.
The report said that Welby failed to inform the authorities after he came to know about the abuse in August 2013, soon after assuming the role of the Archbishop of Canterbury.
“Had he done so, Smyth could have been stopped sooner and many of his victims wouldn’t have been abused," the report said.
Welby initially refused to resign, saying he was wrongly informed that police had already been notified and he shouldn’t do anything to interfere with their investigation. But his position became untenable after a growing number of church leaders and victims criticized him for failing to take responsibility for the scandal.
“It is very clear that I must take personal and institutional responsibility for the long and retraumatizing period between 2013 and 2024," Welby said, announcing his resignation.
(With AP inputs)
Location :London, United Kingdom (UK)
First Published:November 13, 2024, 10:39 IST
News world Church Of England's Head Justin Welby, A Trump Critic, Resigns | What Is Sexual Abuse Scandal?
