Anglican spiritual leader Justin Welby announced his resignation on Tuesday, following the publication of a damning report into the Church of England’s handling of physical and sexual abuse of more than 100 children and young people. men.
“I hope this decision clearly demonstrates the extent to which the Church of England understands the need for change, and our deep commitment to creating a safer Church,” Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury, wrote in a statement. .
The 68-year-old cleric had been facing calls for resignation for several days, after the publication of this report, damning the lack of reaction from the Church of England, of which he has been primate since 2013. The scandal has caused more than 130 victims, boys and young men (see box).
If the top of the Church was officially informed of these facts in 2013, religious leaders had been aware of them since the early 1980s, but kept them quiet as part of a “concealment campaign”, concluded an investigation commissioned by the Church, in a report published last Thursday.
“A feeling of shame”
The report also concludes that the Archbishop of Canterbury “could and should have” reported the violence committed by the lawyer to the police from 2013. The affair only finally came to light after the broadcast of a documentary by Channel 4 in 2017.
“It is very clear that I must take personal and institutional responsibility for the long, traumatic period that passed between 2013 and 2024,” he added in the press release announcing his resignation.
“These last few days have reignited the deep sense of shame I have long felt at the historic failings of the Church of England in safeguarding. For almost twelve years I have strived to make improvements. He It is up to others to judge what has been done,” said the Archbishop of Canterbury.
Justin Welby is a well-known face among the British having officiated at several major royal events in recent years, including the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II and the coronation of King Charles III.
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