Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby resigns over his handling of a child abuse case. He says he’s resigning “in sorrow,” taking “personal and institutional responsibility” for the church’s failure to act on allegations against John Smyth, a deceased British lawyer who abused at least 115 children.

Welby believes he was wrongly informed in 2013 that police had been notified, and an appropriate resolution would follow. He’s now acknowledging his mistake and taking responsibility for the long, retraumatizing period between 2013 and 2024.

The archbishop’s resignation comes after an independent review exposed a “long-maintained conspiracy of silence” about Smyth’s heinous abuses. Welby’s exact departure date is still undecided, pending a review of necessary obligations ¹ ².

Welby, 68, was set to retire in January 2026, when he turns 70. His resignation likely means a successor will be appointed, with several bishops potentially in line for the role, including Stephen Cottrell, Sarah Mullally, Martyn Snow, Graham Usher, and Guli Francis-Dehqani ².