Justin Welby, the former Archbishop of Canterbury and once the spiritual leader of millions of Anglicans worldwide, has admitted he failed to act adequately on allegations of abuse within the Church of England. His remarks come in the wake of a damning report detailing decades of unchecked abuse by a senior church volunteer.
In an interview with the BBC, Welby acknowledged that he had not ensured proper investigations into the case of John Smyth, a British lawyer and evangelical figure who subjected more than 100 boys and young men to what has been described as “brutal and horrific” physical and sexual abuse over a 40-year period.
“The reality is I got it wrong,” Welby said. “As Archbishop of Canterbury, there are no excuses.”
Welby confirmed he was aware of the allegations against Smyth as early as 2013—the same year he assumed the role of Archbishop. A newly released report revealed that senior figures within the Church had been aware of the abuse at the highest levels, but failed to act decisively.
“Every day more cases were coming across the desk that hadn’t been dealt with adequately,” Welby said. “It was overwhelming… one was trying to prioritise—but I think it’s easy to sound defensive over this.”
Smyth, who led Christian summer camps, allegedly used his authority to target boys under the guise of discipline and spiritual mentorship. Despite growing concerns and formal complaints, he was not stopped. Smyth moved to Africa in 1984 and continued his abuse until shortly before his death in 2018.
The report’s findings intensified public pressure on Welby, culminating in his resignation in November 2024. His departure followed years of mounting criticism from survivors, advocates, and members of the clergy over the Church’s failure to confront systemic abuse.
As of publication, the Church of England has not responded to requests for comment on Welby’s statements or the findings of the report.
