An independent review, led by safeguarding expert Keith Makin, condemned the Church of England for its failure to report the "abhorrent abuse" Smyth inflicted on young boys.

The review noted years of abuse could have been prevented if Welby and others had acted more decisively when allegations first surfaced in 2013.

Welby, who has served as Archbishop since 2013, announced his resignation on Tuesday after admitting he should have taken personal responsibility for the Church's response. He acknowledged he failed to ensure that the abuse allegations were fully investigated by police, even after survivors raised urgent concerns.

"When I was informed in 2013 and told that police had been notified, I believed wrongly that an appropriate resolution would follow" Archbishop Welby said.

"It is very clear that I must take personal and institutional responsibility for the long and retraumatising period between 2013 and 2024."

Welby expressed deep regret for the Church's failures, saying "This decision makes clear how seriously the Church of England understands the need for change".

Pressure on other Church leaders

Welby's resignation has intensified scrutiny on other senior Church leaders whom survivors accuse of failing to take sufficient action against Smyth.

Smyth, a Christian summer camp leader, used his influence in Church circles for decades to abuse young men. Despite the seriousness of these allegations, the Church's leadership has been criticised for failing to take appropriate steps to bring Smyth to justice.

Key figures facing pressure to resign include Bishop Stephen Conway and Bishop Jo Bailey Wells.

Bishop Conway, who received reports of Smyth's abuse in 2013, has been called upon to step down for his role in the alleged mishandling of the case. The Makin Review found that, while Conway was in a position to refer Smyth's case to police, he failed to follow through, thus missing a crucial opportunity to initiate an investigation.

Bishop Jo Bailey Wells, then Welby's chaplain, is similarly under fire. She deferred a safeguarding referral to local Church authorities, assuming police were handling the matter.

The report highlights that this decision left the allegations in limbo, with no further action taken to protect victims.

Survivors not appeased

Welby's resignation has not appeased survivors or advocates, many of whom argue that additional resignations are essential to restoring trust in the Church's commitment to safeguarding reforms.

Andrew Morse, a victim who Smyth severely beat as a teenager, backed calls for Bishop Conway to resign.

He said "Conway should resign for obstructing the Smyth victims in our long road to justice. I cannot see how someone so closely associated with the problem can be part of any solution".

Conway has apologised, stating "I am sorry that I did not pursue these actions at that time" but survivors insist that such apologies are insufficient without accountability.

Honourable decision

The Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell, supported the resignation of Archbishop Welby, calling it an "honourable decision". Cottrell emphasised that Welby's departure should be a pivotal moment for the Church to commit to meaningful safeguarding reform.

Bishop of Newcastle Helen-Ann Hartley voiced the need for a structural overhaul, stating "This is a very clear indication that we must move towards independence in safeguarding".

A statement issued on behalf of victims by Andrew Graystone, author of Bleeding For Jesus: John Smyth and the cult of the Iwerne Camps, states "John Smyth was indeed the Church of England's very own Jimmy Savile".

Graystone told The Tablet that "The astonishing thing about this report is how many people at the most senior levels of the church knew about John Smyth's appalling abuse, but failed to do anything to stop him. The questions that arise, as ever, is who will take responsibility and what will change. The answers, at least thus far, are ‘no one', and ‘nothing'".

Sources

The Tablet

The Telegraph

CathNews New Zealand

Cardinal Reinhard Marx said the not-for-profit organization Spes et Salus (Hope and Healing) would see the Catholic Church engaged in helping victims process their experiences.

Marx said his contribution constituted "by far the largest part" of his personal wealth.

He added the foundation should complement the church's commitment to prevention and to coming to terms with and acknowledging the suffering of abuse victims.

"Sexual abuse in the area of responsibility of the church is a crime," Marx said.

"It destroys the lives of many people and means heavy burdens for those directly affected, but also their families and friends."

According to a report commissioned by the Catholic Church 1670 priests (4.4% of Catholic clerics) abused 3677 people between 1946 and 2014 in Germany. Most of the victims were boys.

"The church system as a whole has become guilty here," said Marx. "Abuse has systemic causes and consequences."

According to the regulations of the Bavarian Concordat, Marx receives €164,000 before tax annually from the state government in his role as archbishop. Marx said he had always tried to manage the money allocated to him in his various posts.

Marx caused controversy with the 2019 announcement of a "binding synodal process". It was undertaken as a reaction to German Catholicism's rapidly diminishing numbers.

The Cardinal said the decline was a result of three key issues arising largely from the clerical abuse crisis. These were - priestly celibacy, the Church's teaching on sexual morality, and a reduction of clerical power.

Critics countered the "synodal way" would lead to a relaxing of the Catholic Church's position on priestly celibacy and homosexuality. Marx has also met opposition from some German bishops.

In June 2019, Pope Francis weighed in through a letter to the German bishops.

He reminded them they don't walk alone, but with the universal Church. The pontiff also stated a "structural" reform, simply changing to adapt to modern times, is not the solution.

Sources

Deutsche Welle

Crux

DE24 News

"I want to be a welcoming shepherd who laughs with you whenever we can, who cries with you whenever we must, and who honestly confesses his faults and failings before you when I commit them, not when they are revealed," Gregory said.

"We stand at a defining moment for this local faith community.

"Our recent sorrow and shame [in relation to clergy sex abuse] do not define us; rather, they serve to chasten and strengthen us to face tomorrow with spirits undeterred."

Acknowledging the scandals that have rocked the world Church, Gregory said, "We have been tossed about by an unusually turbulent moment in our own faith journeys recently and for far too long.

"We clerics and hierarchs have irrefutably been the source of the current tempest."

However, drawing on the image of the apostles' fear on stormy seas, Gregory said true peace is found by remembering Christ was in the apostles' boat.

"He invites us to place our trust in Him - not in trite and easy programmes - but in Him and Him alone."

Despite the pressure of recent scandals, Gregory said he had already received an "affectionate and embarrassingly gracious welcome".

"The example I wish to set forth for you is that of a man filled with the faith, hope and joy of knowing Jesus Christ is in the boat."

Gregory thanked Pope Francis for the "righteous challenge - more an opportunity" to carry the Gospel message to the poor, the marginalised and the neglected.

The Archbishop of Washington is considered one of the most influential Churchmen in the United States.

While Gregory, 71, is widely expected to be named a cardinal in the future, it is usual for the pope to wait until the previous cardinal archbishop from the same diocese turns 80 years old and becomes ineligible to vote in a conclave.

The diocese's former cardinal, Donald Wuerl, will turn 79 in November this year.

Source

• Catholic News Agency
• Image: Fox 5 DC