World
November 12, 2024 22:50
london - Archbishop of Canterbury forced to resign following a report on mishandling of 'grotesque abuse of boys and men' within the Anglican Church.
In a historic move, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, has been pressured to step down from his position as the spiritual leader of the Anglican Church. The increasing pressure culminated in his resignation on Tuesday afternoon, taking responsibility for a damning report on the church's half-hearted response to 'grotesque abuse of boys and men'.
Last week, an independent report shed light on the misconduct surrounding John Smyth, a British lawyer who played a prominent role in Anglican youth camps and religious groups in the 1970s and 1980s. The report indicated that at least a hundred boys and men were abused by Smyth, with the actual number likely to be much higher.
The report focused on the accountability of high-ranking Anglican officials who failed to intervene, with Welby's name also mentioned. While he denied any knowledge prior to 2013, the year of the initial reports and the year Welby assumed office as Archbishop, the report deemed it 'unlikely'. A more proactive stance from Welby could have potentially led to Smyth's prosecution before his death in 2018, as suggested by the report.
In contrast to similar scandals in the Catholic Church that involve sexual abuse, the case of Smyth, according to the investigation, centered more around corporal punishment. Punishing 'sinners' with beatings was a common practice in the camps led by Smyth, with eight youths at Winchester College reportedly enduring over 14,000 beatings in total while two others received eight thousand beatings over three years.
The victims were coerced by Smyth to disclose their sexual experiences, with the beatings serving as a penance for their 'sins'. The report also mentioned allegations of Smyth abusing one of his own sons.
The ordeal has left lasting traumatic memories. Although 35 English youths and men contributed to the report, it is anticipated that the actual number of victims is significantly higher.
Smyth moved to Zimbabwe in the mid-1980s, where the abuse persisted with at least eighty reported victims. He was even charged with the manslaughter of a seventeen-year-old boy in Zimbabwe but later acquitted, a decision questioned by the investigation.
Andrew Graystone, author of 'Bleeding for Jesus' about John Smyth, likened Smyth to the 'Jimmy Saville of the Anglican Church', drawing a parallel to the BBC presenter who had sexually abused children for years. Graystone urged Welby's resignation in order for the victims to start their healing process.
Welby's involvement is particularly noteworthy, as he had a personal connection with Smyth and had worked at some of the camps Smyth oversaw in the 1980s. Although Welby claimed ignorance of Smyth's abuse, the report suggested he could have been more 'active' in probing the suspicions. Prior to Smyth's departure to Zimbabwe, clear signs of his misconduct had emerged, yet the responsible Anglican Church members allegedly shielded him.
On Thursday, Welby stated that he had 'considered' resigning, believing he had enough credibility within the Anglican Church to implement 'necessary measures to prevent such activities permanently'. However, the pressure mounted gradually.
Welby's credibility had already been undermined to some extent when he agreed last year to a majority of bishops' decision to administer communion to homosexuals, resulting in conservative Anglican factions in various countries, especially in Africa and South America, no longer recognizing him as their spiritual leader.
Welby had hoped to remain in his post until his retirement at the age of 70 in January 2026. King Charles, the Head of the Anglican Church, will now have to seek a successor. The selection process lies with the remaining 25 Anglican bishops, with Prime Minister Keir Stamer advising King Charles on the final decision between two candidates, possibly with a bishop's preference.