Archbishop Faces Resignation Calls Over Church Abuse Cover-Up

Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury, is under pressure to resign due to a report outlining abuse cover-ups in the Anglican church. Welby apologized for not investigating claims against barrister John Smyth, a prolific abuser. A petition demanding Welby's resignation has garnered significant support.

Justin Welby, the Archbishop of Canterbury and the spiritual leader of the global Anglican community, is facing escalating calls for his resignation following allegations that the church covered up systemic abuse by John Smyth, a barrister connected with the Church of England.

Welby, who has held his position since 2013, apologized last week after an independent report exposed Smyth's history of abuse, affecting at least 115 children and young men across England, Zimbabwe, and South Africa. Despite Welby's claims of unawareness before 2013, the report suggests early knowledge of allegations in the 1980s.

A petition from the General Synod members, pushing for Welby's resignation, has amassed over 2,900 signatures. The Archbishop has publicly apologized for failing to ensure proper investigations, especially following revelations by Channel 4 in 2017.

(With inputs from agencies.)