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The story leads the front pages and is featured in prominent positions on news sites.
More resignations are expected to follow in the coming days so don’t expect the story to be going anywhere any time soon.
Trending – Justin Welby steps down following report as hunt for replacement begins
Justin Welby announced his resignation as archbishop following the release of a report which highlighted his failure to report allegations of abuse made against a prolific child abuser associated with the Church of England. The damning report found that Welby “could and should” have reported John Smyth’s abuse of boys and young men to police in 2013.
The Archbishop had initially resisted calls for his resignation but yesterday following calls from bishops and victims, and a petition calling for him to step down, Welby bowed to pressure.
Basic facts
- Archbishop Justin Welby has resigned
- A report found that he “could and should” have reported abuse in 2013
- John Smyth abused as many as 130 boys and young men in the UK, Zimbabwe and possibly other African countries
- The evangelical Christian barrister John Smyth died in 2018 and never faced punishment
Statement from the Archbishop of Canterbury
https://www.archbishopofcanterbury.org/news/news-and-statements/statement-archbishop-canterbury-0
The reaction
The editorials all agree that Welby was right to resign. Many highlight the archbishop’s ‘sorrow’ for the victims and the “profound sense of shame” he spoke about in his resignation letter.
Other media outlets speak to victims who say Welby shouldn’t be made a scapegoat and many others need to resign as well.
The resignation is without precedent since the position of Archbishop of Canterbury was established 1,427 years ago. However, experts call the move necessary to help re-establish how the Church handles cases of abuse.
Several papers look ahead at who could replace him, others talk about the deep damage he has done. The media says a candidate could be drawn from the Episcopal Church, the Church of Ireland, or the Church in Wales. Some publications suggest names such as Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell and Bishop of Chelmsford Guli Francis-Dehqani whilst other editorials ask will we get our first female archbishop.
None – regardless of political leanings – suggest he should have stayed.
There is a political element to several of the publications, with some using the story to highlight Welby’s ‘woke’ positions on many topics – which made him clash with much of the previous Tory governments. Though his stance on immigration has no connection with the story, several publications like to paint Welby as a ‘liberal lefty’ due to him previously slating the Conservative Party’s Rwanda plans.
But perhaps the most ridiculous take on the news comes via the Daily Mail which remarkably can link Meghan Markle to the story suggesting ‘woke’ Welby fell under Harry and Meghan’s ‘spell.’ – It’s worth a read just for a good laugh!
The front pages
What are users saying on Twitter/X?
Read the tweets!
Alison Hammond is trending. She's either joining Match of the Day or is going to be the next Archbishop of Canterbury.
— Julie D Irwin (@JDIrwinbooks) November 12, 2024
Whether you want to kill kids, or rape them, Justin Welby, the Archbishop of Canterbury has got your back. He flew to Israel to shake the hand of this genocidal monster. Both should be in prison. pic.twitter.com/iqG1VgfPh2
— Dave Berkeley 💙😷 (@daveberkeleyuk) November 11, 2024
Justin Welby to quit as Archbishop of Canterbury over mishandling of child abuse scandal
— Carol Vorderman (@carolvorders) November 12, 2024
Quite right too
And while Commons votes tomorrow to do away with 92 hereditary peer places in House of Lords, they should do away with the 26 places for Bishops too https://t.co/QoeqQOq5CL
