Justin Welby: Archbishop of Canterbury Resigns, Discloses Next Move

• Archbishop Justin Welby has stepped down from his role following a major scandal involving the Church of England
• Welby explained his reason and also announced his next move but disclosed that his decision was “in the best interests of the Church of England”
• Welby’s departure highlights the Church of England’s ongoing struggle with historical sexual abuse

Legit.ng journalist Esther Odili has over two years of experience covering political parties and movements.

Justin Welby, the Archbishop of Canterbury, has resigned after a report found the Church of England allegedly covered up sexual abuse by a barrister.

As reported by Sky News and CBS News, Welby's resignation followed findings of a review which found he and other senior church leaders allegedly covered up the "prolific and abhorrent" abuse of over 100 boys and young men in the United Kingdom and other countries by a British lawyer who helped lead Christian summer camps in the UK and other countries.

Read also

EU vessels to cease fishing in Senegal after accord expires

In a resignation letter, Welby said:

"Having sought the gracious permission of His Majesty The King, I have decided to resign.

"The Makin Review has exposed the long-maintained conspiracy of silence about the heinous abuse of John Smyth.

"When I was informed in 2013 and told that police had been notified, I believed wrongly that an appropriate resolution would follow.

"It is very clear that I must take personal and institutional responsibility for the long and re-traumatising period between 2013 and 2024.

"The last few days have renewed my long-felt and profound sense of shame at the historic safeguarding failures of the Church of England. For nearly 12 years I have struggled to introduce improvements. It is for others to judge what has been done.

"In the meantime, I will follow through on my commitment to meet victims. I will delegate all my other current responsibilities for safeguarding until the necessary risk assessment process is complete."

Read also

C.Africa urges lifting of embargo on diamond exports

The sexual abuse scandal

Meanwhile, the independent Makin review into John Smyth QC's abuse of children and young men was published last week.

Across five decades in three different countries and involving as many as 130 boys and young men in the UK and Africa, John Smyth QC allegedly subjected his victims to traumatic physical, sexual, psychological and spiritual attacks.

The report concluded that he might have been brought to justice had Mr Welby formally reported the incident to police a decade ago.

Read articles related to church here:

• Pope Francis caught in picture kissing US musician Madonna? Fact emerges
• Pope Francis gives up on Africa in push for same-gender marriages: "It's a special case"
• Catholic Priests can marry? Top Vatican archbishop speaks

Oyedepo prays for Abioye as he retires

In another development, Legit.ng reported that Bishop David Oyedepo sent forth Bishop David Abioye with prayers as he retires from Living Faith Church Worldwide.

Read also

Court challenge begins against UK oil and gas field approvals

Oyedepo released words of blessings on Abioye, who was the former vice president of the Living Faith Church, during his valedictory service on Friday, October 18.

Abioye's retirement was based on the rules of the Mandate, which is the Liberation Commission's Constitution or operational manual.

Proofreading by James, Ojo Adakole, journalist and copy editor at Legit.ng.

Source: Legit.ng