“Since that time the way in which the Church of England engages with victims and survivors has changed beyond recognition,” he said. “Checks and balances introduced seek to ensure that the same could not happen today.”
“I repeat my apology contained in the review, that I did not meet quickly with victims after the full horror of the abuse was revealed by Channel 4 in 2017,” said Welby. “As the report says, no Archbishop can meet with everyone but I promised to see them and failed until 2020. This was wrong.”
Despite that statement and apology, Welby subsequently faced calls to resign, with Bishop of Newcastle Helen-Ann Hartley calling Welby’s position “untenable.”
Members of the church’s General Synod started a petition calling for Welby’s resignation; the petition reportedly garnered more than 11,000 signatures by midday Tuesday. Victims Andrew Morse and Mark Stibbe also said they thought Welby should resign.
In his statement announcing his resignation, Welby said, “It is my duty to honour my Constitutional and church responsibilities, so exact timings will be decided once a review of necessary obligations has been completed, including those in England and in the Anglican Communion.”
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“I hope this decision makes clear how seriously the Church of England understands the need for change and our profound commitment to creating a safer church,” he continued. “As I step down I do so in sorrow with all victims and survivors of abuse.”
Welby asked for prayers for his wife, Caroline, and for his children, and concluded saying:
I believe that stepping aside is in the best interests of the Church of England, which I dearly love and which I have been honoured to serve. I pray that this decision points us back towards the love that Jesus Christ has for every one of us.
For above all else, my deepest commitment is to the person of Jesus Christ, my saviour and my God; the bearer of the sins and burdens of the world, and the hope of every person.
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