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Archbishop Welby Resigns Amid Abuse Scandal, Succession Search Begins

1/7/2025

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Summary

Story summary

Archbishop Justin Welby has resigned in the wake of a scandal surrounding his failure to report serial abuser John Smyth. As the Church of England grapples with this crisis, Archbishop Stephen Cottrell steps in temporarily, facing his own scrutiny over past abuse case mishandlings. The search for Welby's permanent successor will be a lengthy process.

History

Historical Context

Archbishop Justin Welby's resignation follows a scandal over his inaction regarding serial abuser John Smyth, echoing past crises within the Church of England. The Church has faced scrutiny for handling abuse allegations since the 1980s, notably during the 2015 Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse. This history highlights ongoing challenges in safeguarding and accountability within religious institutions.

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Story summary

Archbishop Justin Welby has resigned in the wake of a scandal surrounding his failure to report serial abuser John Smyth. As the Church of England grapples with this crisis, Archbishop Stephen Cottrell steps in temporarily, facing his own scrutiny over past abuse case mishandlings. The search for Welby's permanent successor will be a lengthy process.

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