Anglican Church Head, Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, Resigns over Handling of Child Abuse
Justin Welby's Resignation from the Anglican Church
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, has resigned from the Anglican Church after admitting to mishandling allegations of child abuse dating back to the 1980s. Welby, who has led the church since 2013, has been under pressure due to his role in the cover-up of alleged abuse by former Bishop Peter Ball. Ball was convicted of sexual abuse in 2015 and sentenced to prison.
The Archbishop's Statement
In a statement released on Monday, Welby said he was "deeply sorry" for his role in the handling of the allegations against Ball. He said he had not acted quickly enough to protect children from harm and that he had "failed in my duty to the survivors of abuse." He also stated that he would step down as Archbishop of Canterbury at the end of the year.
Reaction to the Resignation
The Archbishop's resignation has been met with mixed reactions from the Anglican community. Some have praised Welby for taking responsibility for his actions, while others have criticized him for not doing enough to protect children from abuse. The Church of England has also issued a statement acknowledging the Archbishop's resignation and expressing support for the survivors of abuse.
The Future of the Anglican Church
The resignation of Archbishop Welby is a significant moment for the Anglican Church. The church has been grappling with the issue of child abuse for many years, and Welby's resignation is a sign that the church is taking the issue seriously. It is likely that the church will continue to face challenges in the coming years, but the Archbishop's resignation is a step towards addressing the issue of child abuse and rebuilding trust with the public.
Timeline of Events
- 1980s: Allegations of child abuse against Bishop Peter Ball are made
- 1993: Ball is arrested and charged with sexual abuse
- 1995: Ball is convicted of sexual abuse and sentenced to prison
- 2013: Justin Welby is appointed as Archbishop of Canterbury
- 2015: Ball is released from prison
- 2019: Allegations of child abuse against Ball are made again
- 2023: Welby resigns as Archbishop of Canterbury