Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby to resign over handling of youth abuse scandal

Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby will resign under pressure for his delayed response to extensive and devastating allegations of “physical, sexual, psychological and spiritual attacks” by a British lawyer on young victims he met at youth camps tied to the Church of England.

Welby, 68, announced his resignation in a statement released November 12, acknowledging that a newly released investigative report “has exposed the long-maintained conspiracy of silence about the heinous abuses of John Smyth.”

“I hope this decision makes clear how seriously the Church of England understands the need for change and our profound commitment to creating a safer church. As I step down I do so in sorrow with all victims and survivors of abuse,” Welby said. “The last few days have renewed my long-felt and profound sense of shame at the historic safeguarding failures of the Church of England.”