Former Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby has acknowledged his failure to adequately investigate allegations of abuse within the Church of England, describing the scale of the issue as “overwhelming.” Welby stepped down in November 2024 following intensified calls for his resignation after a damning report revealed his insufficient action against John Smyth, a British lawyer and prolific abuser.
Smyth, who volunteered at Christian summer camps, subjected over 100 boys and young men to “brutal and horrific” abuse over four decades. Despite the Church’s awareness of the allegations since 2013, Welby admitted he did not prioritize the case effectively, stating, “The reality is I got it wrong. As Archbishop, there are no excuses.”
The report highlighted systemic failures within the Church, which had knowledge of Smyth’s actions but failed to act decisively. Smyth continued his abuse in Africa until his death in 2018. Media reports since Welby’s resignation have alleged further abuse within the institution, raising questions about accountability and safeguarding measures.