The head of the Church of England, who is married to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, announced on Tuesday that he was resigning following a scathing report that he did not act quickly enough to stop a violent serial pedophile.
Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury, who presided over the coronation of Charles III and the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II as head of the church, has announced that he is resigning due to the heinous crimes committed by John Smith, who was running a church camp at the time. did.
Mr Welby said in a statement that the Makin Report, an independent inquiry into the disease scandal published on Friday, revealed a “long-standing conspiracy to remain silent about the heinous abuses” committed by Mr Smith, who died in 2018, in Britain and the South. It was exposed,” he said. Africa.
As many as 130 boys and young people are believed to have been sexually abused by Mr Smith in the UK and Africa. Mr Smith runs a children's camp linked to the Church of England, and Mr Welby has led the camp since 2013.
“When I was informed that a police report had been filed in 2013, I mistakenly believed that a proper resolution was awaiting me,” said Welby, who also heads the Episcopal Church Worldwide, of which the Episcopal Church is a member. .
“It is very clear that I must take personal and organizational responsibility for the long and re-traumatic period from 2013 to 2024,” the cleric said.
The Makin report caused a huge uproar in the UK, but Mr Welby initially said he would not resign. The pressure then mounted over the weekend.
Mr. Welby's office told the Post that the “exact timing” of his departure “will be announced after reviewing the circumstances.” [his] necessary duties. ”
