Justin Welby, who officially stepped down as Archbishop of Canterbury on January 6, has been granted permission to reside at Lambeth Palace for up to six months as he and his family transition to a new home.
The decision was confirmed in newly released Church of England documents, coinciding with the General Synod’s current meeting. Welby will remain in the private quarters of the archbishop’s residence until early summer.
Welby’s resignation followed increasing calls for accountability after the publication of the Makin Report in November. The report highlighted his failure to report abuse allegations against John Smyth, a known serial abuser, which may have hindered justice for victims. While initially resisting calls to step down, Welby later announced his resignation, citing a “long-felt and profound sense of shame at the historic safeguarding failures of the Church of England” and expressing the need to take both “personal and institutional responsibility.”
During the Synod meeting, Nicola Denyer inquired about the financial aspects of Welby’s departure and whether a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) was in place. Alan Smith, the First Church Estates Commissioner, clarified that there was no financial settlement or confidentiality agreement involved. He stated, “The Archbishop of Canterbury’s departure from office was not subject to a settlement agreement. He has received the financial payments to which he is lawfully entitled as a clergy office holder. His departure from office on 6 January 2025 is not the subject of any confidentiality agreement. With the Commissioners’ agreement, the Welby family is staying in the archbishop’s private quarters at Lambeth Palace for up to 6 months ahead of their relocation to their new home.”
Meanwhile, the process of selecting Welby’s successor has begun, with a public consultation underway. The appointment process is expected to take several months, with an official announcement anticipated by autumn.
