Should Justin Welby resign?

He’s gone!

So he’s gone
The Archbishop of Canterbury has resigned following a damning report into a prolific child abuser associated with the Church of England
The report concluded that Justin Welby had failed to act after learning about the abuse by John Smyth QC in 2013, sparking calls for him to quit
Smyth might have been brought to justice before his death in 2018 had his decades of abuse been reported to authorities, it found
Welby acknowledged he should have more rigorously followed up on the details, but insisted he would remain in post

191 1961

Sarnia

Allira

Sarnia

I am in despair at Christianity at the moment. A friend of mine was a dedicated churchgoer and was involved with the many groups and events her church ran. She suffered from crippling anxiety all her life not helped by an uncaring husband. Sadly, she took her own life, at the age of 72, when she could no longer live in this world. Her church refused to hold her funeral there because she had committed a sin in their eyes by taking her life. It was as if she was soiled. We ended up at the local crematorium to say goodbye to her. At this moment I hate a religion that turns its back on a fellow worshiper who was in such despair that suicide was her best choice. No compassion, no caring was shown to her. Yes, Welby should go and now, along with all the other two-faced, despicable child abusers hiding behind the cloth.

How sad. That must have some time ago because the ban in funerals for those who committed suicide was lifted several years ago.
I hope you could hold a lovely service for her at the crematorium.

Her funeral was 2 weeks ago. The minister at her church had the final say according to her eldest daughter who was distraught at his decision.

I'm sorry, Sarnia and surprised.

That vicar must be bigoted. The C of E have allowed this for a number of years (but not long enough).
In fact, suicide was a criminal offence until 191 which was ridiculous and cruel to those left behind.

I've been to some lovely services in the last few years held in crematoria but conducted by vicars and ministers.

Yes, he should resign. Then start rooting out anyone else who was culpable. Does the Church of Egland have any safeguarding protocols? Other denominations now have them in place.

In a word yes

Certainly. Many victims could have been spared if he had done something at the earliest opportunity.

He absolutely should resign. He was also a huge fan of Rev Mike Pilavachi, another abuser who's case has somehow apart from in church circles, stayed well below the parapet, yet much harm was done.

winterwhite

I hope it isn't seen as condoning or making excuses for Smythe In Any Way to be a bit concerned at this 'Heads must roll' reaction.
Judging, or adjudicating, cases such as this is not a core function of the head of the Church of England, and to that extent this is quite different from Paula Vennells. I don't know that it alone should govern whether he's fit to remain in office. It seems that plenty of others turned their telescopes to their blind eyes before the case reached JW making it seem that it's safeguarding systems that need to be overhauled.
I don't mind whether he resigns or not and maybe he's already done so.

The extent of denial and minimisation about the extent of sexual abuse children are subjected to is staggering. There’s no excuse for not following the safeguarding policies that would have been in place in the 1980s, or the more stringent ones by 2015.

What about the hundreds of victims? As ever, their voices are not being heard. Welly’s lack of action enabled the serious abuse of boys to continue. It’s shocking, there’s no excuse and if he had integrity, he’d resign and apologise

Yes, he should resign.

Yes, of course he should, but he’ll be able to take an early retirement on a large pension instead.

The arrogance of Justin Welby is astounding, has he no conscience? He's hanging on as he won’t relinquish his powerful position. He should be ashamed but he isn't. He stood by and did nothing whilst children were abused. You have to ask why?

He should be sacked. As he didn’t flag up this abuse, I have to wonder why? What does HE have to hide? (Never trust a man in a frock).

No - he should be sacked! What an outrageous human being he is

He needs to go, now

no he should be sacked and no financial extras!!!!!!

Yes

He must resign his position is untenable No surprise that the only senior bishop to speak out is a woman the rest are all too busy currying favour with the old boy's club !!

Of course he should. Protecing the reputation of the Church of England instead of protecting young people from a monster is not Christian.

But at the same time, 2013, Welby was actively persecuting a dead man on the slightest of evidence from one woman. It took 5 years for him to admit that 'mistakes' had been made following an independent review of proceedings. There were many live witnesses prepared to give evidence in the case of John Smyth.

Yes he should be sacked by the church He did nothing to protect more boys being attacked and didn't insist on bringing in the police I've experienced on going difficulties as a abuse victim as a child and I feel like I want to cry today just thinking how self interested he is and how powerful and irrelevant t he and the church of e are
otherwise maybe mean the end of the church of England people who go could show support for the victims

I hope it isn't seen as condoning or making excuses for Smythe In Any Way to be a bit concerned at this 'Heads must roll' reaction.
Judging, or adjudicating, cases such as this is not a core function of the head of the Church of England, and to that extent this is quite different from Paula Vennells. I don't know that it alone should govern whether he's fit to remain in office. It seems that plenty of others turned their telescopes to their blind eyes before the case reached JW making it seem that it's safeguarding systems that need to be overhauled.
I don't mind whether he resigns or not and maybe he's already done so.

Sarnia what a sad indictment of the ‘compassionate’ Christian religion.

Any evidence of Smythe’s abuse, on children who were at boarding school, will have been ignored by their schools - many of which probably still implemented corporal punishment themselves.

These institutions have ruined the lives of many, many young people.

Allira

Sarnia

I am in despair at Christianity at the moment. A friend of mine was a dedicated churchgoer and was involved with the many groups and events her church ran. She suffered from crippling anxiety all her life not helped by an uncaring husband. Sadly, she took her own life, at the age of 72, when she could no longer live in this world. Her church refused to hold her funeral there because she had committed a sin in their eyes by taking her life. It was as if she was soiled. We ended up at the local crematorium to say goodbye to her. At this moment I hate a religion that turns its back on a fellow worshiper who was in such despair that suicide was her best choice. No compassion, no caring was shown to her. Yes, Welby should go and now, along with all the other two-faced, despicable child abusers hiding behind the cloth.

How sad. That must have some time ago because the ban in funerals for those who committed suicide was lifted several years ago.
I hope you could hold a lovely service for her at the crematorium.

Her funeral was 2 weeks ago. The minister at her church had the final say according to her eldest daughter who was distraught at his decision.