Abuse Scandal Rocks Church of England: Former Head Admits "Getting it Wrong"
Background
The Church of England has been embroiled in a major scandal involving the abuse of hundreds of boys and young men by a lawyer who organized evangelical summer camps in the 1970s and 1980s. The scandal has led to widespread calls for reform and has shaken the UK.
Justin Welby’s Admission
In a recent interview with the BBC, the former Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, admitted that he "got it wrong" in his handling of the abuse case. Welby, who was 68 at the time of his resignation, stepped down as head of the Church of England last year after a damning report found that the Church had covered up the abuse and that he had failed to report it to authorities when it came to his attention in 2013.
The Abuses
According to the independent probe, John Smyth, a lawyer who organized the summer camps, was responsible for the abuse of as many as 130 boys and young men. Smyth lived in Africa from 1984 and died aged 75 in South Africa in 2018 while under investigation by British police. He never faced any criminal charges.
Welby’s Reflections
In the BBC interview, Welby reflected on the fallout from the scandal, saying, "Every day more cases were coming across the desk that… in the past, hadn’t been dealt with adequately. It was overwhelming, one was trying to prioritise – but I think it’s easy to sound defensive over this. The reality is I got it wrong. As Archbishop, there are no excuses."
Consequences of the Scandal
The scandal has had significant consequences for the Church of England, including widespread calls for reform and a loss of trust among many of its members. The Church has also faced criticism for its handling of the abuse case, with some calling for the resignation of its current leader, Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell, who has taken over as interim head of the institution.
The Future of the Church
The future of the Church of England remains uncertain, with a lengthy selection process underway to appoint a new head. The process is expected to be completed in the autumn, with King Charles III expected to appoint the new leader. The Church of England has some twenty million baptised members, but the number of regular churchgoers is estimated at just under one million, according to figures for 2022.
FAQs
- What was the abuse scandal that rocked the Church of England?
The abuse scandal involved the abuse of hundreds of boys and young men by a lawyer who organized evangelical summer camps in the 1970s and 1980s. - Who was responsible for the abuse?
John Smyth, a lawyer who organized the summer camps, was responsible for the abuse. - What did Justin Welby say about his handling of the abuse case?
Welby admitted that he "got it wrong" in his handling of the abuse case. - What is the future of the Church of England?
The future of the Church of England remains uncertain, with a lengthy selection process underway to appoint a new head.