Archbishop of Canterbury resigns over church abuse scandal

Justin Welby's resignation as the Archbishop of Canterbury came after days of mounting pressure following a damning report into the cover-up of horrific abuse.

Less than a week ago, an independent review - set up after an investigation by this programme - concluded that John Smyth - the most prolific serial abuser to be associated with the church - might have been brought to justice had the Archbishop formally reported him to police in 2013.

Mr Welby had apologised for his failures regarding the John Smyth case – which saw as many as 130 boys and young men abused over sting five decades – but he declined to resign when we spoke to him last week. However, all that changed today.

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[mikerockey]

SICK of this, it's been going on for decades yet they ALL deny it.

[GlennPearson-zk]

He shouldn’t be allowed to resign and walk away with his full pension and other luxuries. He needs to be arrested and charged with aiding and abetting and sexual predator. Disgusting man hiding behind his religious robes 🤬

[Greenpoloboy]

A man many would say should be arrested and investigated and placed in prison. An man who covered over evil. And there are many of them in the Church.

[suzimonkey]

Im getting sick of these, “Abuse scandals” where, “everybody knew” but did absolutely nothing! The children should be the priority & NOT protecting the organisation that they serve! 🤬

[fuckbankers]

The Church can not be allowed to investigate itself.

[annebalderston]

Pedophiles seem to be attracted to organizations
where children can be
accessed easily. These cases should be reported to the
police right away and not
dealt with by the church.
These perpetrators should never be allowed to be
transferred to another
location.🙏🏻✝️🕊️

[nigeltrigger]

He is complicit! He should go to prison!

[cherylblaber]

‘All it takes for evil to prosper is for a good man to do nothing’

[drizerreal]

He shouldnt be the scapegoat for this? Seriously?
He kept his mouth shut and the abuse continued. He is guilty as well. Isn’t it written in de law that negligence causing harm is punishable as well?
He should be kicked out of the clergy and send to jail.

[audreycollins]

Clear out the swamp. Those that knew and did nothing should go.

[yelinmanu]

He must got to jail. To say sorry not enough. He protected the child abuser and not the childeren. He must also pay for the victims

[DavidSmith-luxv]

Bishop Rose Wilkins must GO after doubling down on support for Welby and insulting victims intelligence saying we conflate issues Meanwhile Rose Wilkins is a danger to children

[ChoppingtonOtter]

Funny how they are only sorry once it becomes public knowledge.

[jeremiasrobinson]

Who would have thought that a church created by Henry the 8th would be involved in scandals?!

[Tarantella]

Bishop Rose seems to have no compassion whatsoever for the victims and is downplaying resignations in case she’s next! Can’t believe she said it won’t change anything!!

[TihetrisWeathersby]

It's not just the catholic church that's riddled with scandal, seems like a systematic thing in the priesthood

[lovedaybebe]

Can’t believe that he’s part of the World Economic Forum! Only found out earlier today ! Disgraceful, then again so is our King !

[utzxxvh]

why not charge him criminally? it seems he is complicit. for example:

aiding and abetting a crime
perverting the course of justice
and failing to protect a child

it's arguable he is guilty of all of them. resigning and disappearing into the wind is not good enough

[alexanderewing]

Imagine defending abuse by keeping the perpetrators in their positions. Oh! wait, she just did! They all protect each other, no matter the crimes and obfuscate, pontificate and deny. A plague on all their houses!

[mikeonfreeserve]

Hearing the Church officials bleating you would think he was a victim. The safeguarding head should go next, along with all other bishops that knew about pervert Smyth. Can a file go to the CPS to deal with a conspiracy to protect an abuser?