The Church of England faces escalating calls for accountability amid ongoing abuse scandals
The Church of England faces rising demands for accountability after Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, resigned amid backlash over a high-profile abuse scandal. Welby’s resignation follows a report on failings in handling allegations against John Smyth, a barrister and volunteer who abused over 100 young people at Christian camps. Smyth’s case involved multiple layers of cover-up over the years, and Welby acknowledged his failure to ensure a thorough investigation, which prompted him to step down.
Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell, the Church’s second-highest official, emphasized that some individuals appeared to have actively concealed the abuse and must be held responsible. The Bishop of Lincoln, Stephen Conway, who knew about the abuse claims in 2013 but did not press for greater action, now faces calls to resign as well. Conway has since apologized, acknowledging that he didn’t pursue the matter rigorously enough with church authorities.
The report highlights broader failings within the Church’s safeguarding practices, prompting calls to improve its approach to protecting parishioners. Although Cottrell emphasized the challenges of safeguarding in a large, dispersed organization like the Church, he pointed to Welby’s overall efforts in improving safety measures—despite apparent shortcomings in this specific case.
Additionally, Welby’s tenure has faced scrutiny for his handling of internal divisions within the global Anglican Church, particularly around social issues like LGBTQ+ rights and women in ministry. These tensions, especially around Welby’s response to Uganda’s anti-homosexuality legislation, have spurred further debate within the Anglican Communion worldwide, adding complexity to his legacy as Archbishop.