- By Abhishek Sheoran
- Wed, 13 Nov 2024 01:36 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
In a major development, Justin Welby, the Archbishop of Canterbury, has resigned following a sexual assault scandal that has significantly tarnished his reputation. Welby, who also served as the spiritual leader of the worldwide Anglican Communion, stepped down from his position on November 12 after an investigation revealed his failure to report ongoing abuse by a volunteer at Christian camps to the authorities, despite being fully aware of the situation.
Who is Justin Welby
The Archbishop of Canterbury is the head of the Church of England and is traditionally regarded as the spiritual leader of the Anglican Communion.
Justin Welby, 68, served as the 105th Archbishop of Canterbury. Ordained in 1992, he worked extensively in Africa and the Middle East before assuming the role of Archbishop in 2013. Prior to his ecclesiastical career, Welby also had experience in the oil industry.
During his tenure as Archbishop, Welby focused on fostering unity within the Anglican Communion. However, he faced significant challenges, particularly regarding the Church's teachings on issues like LGBT rights and the role of women, which created divisions among Anglican leaders.
Throughout his time in office, he was also a prominent voice in religious and social debates, offering commentary on matters such as social justice, ethics, and interfaith dialogue.
About the scandal
A shocking 251-page report has revealed disturbing details about John Smyth, who is accused of sexually, psychologically, and physically abusing more than 100 boys and young men at Christian summer camps in the United Kingdom, Zimbabwe, and South Africa over a span of five decades.
The report also claims that Justin Welby, despite being aware of Smyth's actions, failed to report him to the authorities. Had Welby acted promptly, many boys and young men could have been spared. However, Smyth is now deceased.
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Reacting over his resignation Welby said, “It is very clear that I must take personal and institutional responsibility for the long and retraumatizing period between 2013 and 2024.”
This is not the first such case within the Catholic Church. A government-commissioned inquiry revealed that between the 1940s and 2018, 390 individuals associated with the Church were convicted of child sexual abuse.
