Suffolk clergyman on resignation of Archbishop of Canterbury

Justin Welby resigned on Tuesday following the damning Makin Review, which concluded that barrister John Smyth might have been brought to justice had the archbishop formally alerted authorities in 2013.

In a statement on Tuesday, Mr Welby said: “Having sought the gracious permission of His Majesty The King, I have decided to resign as Archbishop of Canterbury.

“The Makin Review has exposed the long-maintained conspiracy of silence about the heinous abuses of John Smyth."

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, resigned on Tuesday (Image: Andrew Milligan/PA Wire) Following the resignation, The Rt Rev Martin Seeley, Bishop of the St Edmundsbury and Ipswich Diocese, said the church "must learn from the review". 

"The Archbishop of Canterbury’s decision to step down shows how clearly the Church of England understands the need for change and its profound commitment to creating a safer church," he said. 

“The Archbishop has taken personal and institutional responsibility for the failures of safeguarding brought to light by the Makin Review and is deeply sorry for the horrific abuse inflicted by the late John Smyth and its lifelong effects, already spanning more than 40 years.

“We know that no words can undo the damage done to people’s lives both by him and by the failure of individuals in the Church and other institutions to respond well."

From the 1970s until his death, Smyth - a barrister - is said to have subjected as many as 130 boys and young men in the UK and Africa to traumatic physical, sexual, psychological and spiritual attacks, permanently marking their lives.

A lay reader who led Christian summer camps, Smyth died aged 75 in Cape Town in 2018 while under investigation by Hampshire Police, and was “never brought to justice for the abuse”, the review said.

“I would like to add my profound gratitude and appreciation for the victims who came forward to reveal the horrific extent of Smyth’s abuse, for their courage, grace and dignity," added the Rt Rev Seeley.

“We knew the review would be incredibly important and I was very grateful to be among the large number of people contributing to the review nationally.

“The Church and its associated organisations clearly must be deeply penitent and learn from this review, and continue to be committed to implementing ongoing robust safeguarding procedures, across all parts of the Church.”