Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby is stepping down following a damning report about the Church of England’s handling of child abuse by John Smyth. The independent report revealed that Welby “could and should” have reported Smyth’s abuse of boys and young men to police in 2013.
The Bishop of Gloucester, Rachel Treweek, strongly criticized the situation, stating that anyone wanting to become the Archbishop of Canterbury “needs their head reading.” She emphasized the immense challenges of the role, describing it as an extremely difficult position that requires significant structural changes.
Smyth was accused of attacking dozens of boys at Christian camps during the 1970s and 1980s. The independent report found that the Church’s inaction was a “missed opportunity” to bring Smyth to justice before his death in 2018. Bishop Treweek called the report “absolutely sickening” and stressed the importance of focusing on the victims and survivors.
The Archbishop of Canterbury is a crucial leadership position, heading the Church of England and leading 85 million Anglicans across 165 countries. While the exact timing of Welby’s departure is not yet clear, the process of finding a replacement is expected to take at least six months.
Bishop Treweek highlighted several critical issues within the Church’s structure. She pointed out the organization’s “clunky governance” and slow decision-making processes, arguing that there are too many levels and groups involved in making crucial decisions. She advocated for more swift and efficient mechanisms to address serious concerns.
The bishop also emphasized the need for improved safeguarding processes. While acknowledging that training and procedures have changed in recent years, she stressed the importance of independent oversight to prevent future incidents of abuse.
In a message of support to survivors, Treweek encouraged those who have been silenced or are carrying the weight of past abuse to contact their diocesan safeguarding team. Her comments reflect a commitment to rebuilding trust and providing support to those affected by institutional failings.
Notably, Bishop Treweek herself is a trailblazer in the Church, having been consecrated as the 41st Bishop of Gloucester in 2015. She made history as the first female diocesan bishop and the first female bishop in the House of Lords.
Welby’s decision to step down comes as a direct response to the critical report, which exposed significant shortcomings in the Church’s handling of child abuse allegations. The move represents an acknowledgment of the institution’s past failures and a potential step towards rebuilding credibility and trust.
The situation underscores the ongoing challenges faced by religious institutions in addressing historical abuse and creating transparent, accountable systems to protect vulnerable individuals.
