The Bishop of Newcastle, Rt Rev Helen-Ann Hartley, has publicly called for the resignation of Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby in light of the ongoing John Smyth abuse scandal. Hartley, a senior cleric in the Church of England, stated that Welby stepping down would “draw a line” on past failures and underscore the importance of an independent approach to safeguarding within the church.
This call for Archbishop Welby’s resignation follows a recent report detailing Smyth’s abusive actions, allegedly hidden by church authorities for decades. The petition demanding Welby’s departure, backed by clergy members including Rev Marcus Walker and Rev Robert Thompson, has gained significant support with over 4,000 signatures as of Monday.
In their joint statement, the petition’s organizers expressed, “We must see change, for the sake of survivors, for the protection of the vulnerable, and for the good of the Church—and we share this determination across our traditions.” They believe Welby’s resignation is necessary to initiate “change and healing.”
John Smyth, a former barrister, abused over 100 young men and boys in the 1970s and 80s, often targeting those attending evangelical holiday camps organized by the Iwerne Trust, which aimed to reach children from British public schools. Welby first became aware of Smyth’s misconduct in 2013, three years before the allegations became public, but the response is now widely viewed as inadequate.
Lambeth Palace, however, reaffirmed Welby’s commitment to reform within the church, stating he has expressed “horror at the scale of John Smyth’s egregious abuse” and extended a “profound apology” for both personal and institutional failings. The statement added that Welby “does not intend to resign” and hopes the insights from the Makin Review will foster a safer environment in the church globally.
While no formal procedure exists to remove an Archbishop of Canterbury, a significant erosion of confidence among senior clergy could make Welby’s leadership increasingly difficult.
