bbc.com
Welby Resigns Amidst Child Abuse Scandal
Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby resigns for failing to properly investigate a decades-long child abuse scandal linked to the Church of England.
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United Kingdom
Human Rights ViolationsUkGender IssuesChild AbuseResignationCover-UpReligious InstitutionChurch Scandal
Church Of EnglandIwerne Trust
Justin WelbyJohn SmythGavin Ashenden
- What challenges await Welby's successor?
- Welby's resignation comes amidst significant internal conflicts within the Anglican Church, including debates on LGBTQ+ rights and the role of women clergy. His successor will face the challenge of uniting a diverse and often divided global community.
- What was the role of the Iwerne Trust in the scandal?
- The Iwerne Trust, a Christian charity where Smyth was a high-ranking member, conducted an internal investigation in 1982 but failed to report the abuse to authorities for over 30 years.
- Why did Archbishop Justin Welby resign from his position?
- Justin Welby, the Archbishop of Canterbury, resigned due to his failure to properly investigate a decades-long child abuse scandal involving lawyer John Smyth, who abused over 100 children.
- What kind of abuse was John Smyth involved in, and over what period did it occur?
- The abuse, which included physical, sexual, and psychological trauma, occurred at Christian summer camps in the 1970s and 1980s. Smyth's actions were covered up by the Church of England for many years.
- What was Archbishop Welby's role in the handling of the abuse allegations, and what was his response?
- Welby admitted to making mistakes after being notified of the abuse in 2013, stating he mistakenly believed an adequate resolution was being reached. He accepted responsibility for the inaction between 2013 and 2024.