Statements from bishops
News reports
Church Times Archbishop of Canterbury announces resignation
The Guardian Justin Welby says he will step down as archbishop of Canterbury
BBC Live News Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby resigns over Church abuse scandal
The Telegraph Live Archbishop of Canterbury resigns
The Tablet Archishop of Canterbury resigns over abuse scandal
Independent Justin Welby resigns as Archbishop of Canterbury after ‘failures’ over Church of England sex abuser
The Guardian Bishop says more C of E senior clergy may need to resign over abuse scandal
[This is Julie Conalty, the bishop of Birkenhead and deputy lead bishop for safeguarding]
Other comment
Gavin Drake The Archbishop of Canterbury’s resignation won’t make the Church of England a safer place
Stephen Bates The Guardian Justin Welby: why archbishop chosen for his managerial skills had to go
Martyn Percy Prospect Welby is gone–but trust in the Church is broken beyond repair
So, three ‘senior colleagues’ seen to be washing their hands/ preparing their pitch for the ‘new dispensation’ accompanied by ‘thoughts and prayers’. Who now has yesterday’s man’s back, without a knife between the shoulder blades? Et tu Brute? Not me Guv. A fresh expression of ‘sad to see you go, my friend, but …’
It disgusts me. I hope none of them snakes their way into consideration for his job. At least two out of the three have very short memories of their own culpability in serious safeguarding related matters. We need a thorough clear out, and these three would certainly be on my list as two publicly culpable bishops and a third who I am reliably informed pulls an awful lot of strings behind the scenes.
Gosh, bishops who couldn’t say a word between Thursday and Tuesday suddenly recover the power of speech. Praise be!
I posted here when there were only three statements from bishops here- those from ++York, +Leeds and +London; more have followed There are now three times as many, and maybe more to come. If I read correctly, none yet ‘admits’ to having been one of the ‘senior colleagues’ consulted as the advice was given to ‘hang in there’ and to not resign. Where are the reputation managers- how many of the statements have their seal of approval? There are varying degrees of thanks offered for the service of the archbishop. What of those bishops yet to publish- where do they… Read more »
Stir Up Sunday is November 24th.
You assume that ‘Senior Colleagues’ was code for ‘bishops’; it might just as easily have been a gloss to disguise the fact that they were not bishops at all …’
I may have inferred that ‘senior colleagues’ might have included bishops, indeed I would very much hope it did; it may also have included one or more who could be described as ‘reputation managers’; we may never know,esp as their permission to have such advice shared more openly may be thought necessary and/or advisable. I note further that later published statements appear to be more assiduous at putting victims first, in order of mention at least, and some statements are warmer in their references to the outgoing Archbishop (I don’t think he has actually ‘gone’ yet- and I make no… Read more »
I am aghast at statements from various Bishops now indicating their concern. Why did none of them have courage to follow Bishop Helen-Ann’s call? Look at Newcastle Diocese for ABC&Y ‘coercive’ letter.
When Archbishop Stephen Cottrell was Bishop of Chelmsford, local vicar John Parker protested about the “charity” ‘Mermaids’ doing presentations in Church of England primary schools. Cottrell told Parker ‘he could leave the Church of England’. Cottrell denied saying this but thirty clergy there confirmed Parker’s words. Now ‘Mermaids’ is under investigation for promoting breast-binders and puberty-blockers to children.
Spare me the anti-Trans BS. NO ONE EVER “promotes” gender-transition. Some youth are desperate for the help!
And why have we seen a massive, massive increase of teens who refer themselves to GIDS, do you think? Why are thousands of lesbian, gay and autistic kids ‘desperate’ for ‘gender-affirming care,’ whereas next to none wanted it a decade ago?
Because most didn’t know it was possible and therefore only sought help in middle age. There was also so much transphobia that many didn’t seek help, a portion of whom probably committed suicide. They were avoidable suicides and, for a time, we were avoiding many of them. Sadly the tide has reversed.
From the BBC articles below: “Mermaids was set up in 1999 to provide advice and support to trans-identifying young people and their families. The charity says it now works with 10,000 people a year,” from a handful barely twenty years ago.
JCF, that you think my views are ‘anti-Trans BS’ is a cross I will have to bear, cismanfully. I know there are children wanting help and many more unhappy girls confused by our culture – I have worked in British schools and met such girls. Helping does not mean mutilation of their bodies and disturbing their endocrine system.
I don’t know how we’re supposed to have a dialogue, when you insist on such violently LOADED terms: “mutilation of their bodies” “disturbing their endocrine system”. Donald Trump’s ludicrous “they go to school and come home a different sex” fantasies aside, hormonal, much less surgical interventions take YEARS to achieve, and only via “Insistent, Persistent, and Consistent” efforts by the young person and their parents/guardians. They are NOT achieved by “unhappy confused girls” OR boys. Only an AFAB boy or AMAB girl who will tell you, over time, EXACTLY who they are. The only question is: when they ask for… Read more »
Rubbish. Gender GP will send you hormones after just one phone conversation, then uses AI
https://www.thetimes.com/uk/healthcare/article/gendergp-clinic-betrayed-ai-care-rip-off-trans-patients-6tjd838m5
https://www.tortoisemedia.com/2024/05/03/judge-raises-serious-concerns-about-treatment-by-gender-gp-for-young-trans-people/
I’ve met teens who scored hormones online without any medical supervision whatsoever.
https://www.theguardian.com/society/article/2024/may/03/cross-sex-hormones-available-online-11-pounds-a-month-young-people-gender-identity
Some LGBTQ+ charities now have safe spaces for youth to take hormones away from their parents.
From the site of a well-known provider in the UD
https://www.verywellhealth.com/gender-affirming-hormone-therapy-5083919
“Until relatively recently, access to gender-affirming hormone therapy was largely managed through gatekeeping models that required gender-diverse people to undergo a psychological assessment before they could access hormone treatment.
However, there has been a growing movement toward the use of an informed consent model to better reflect access to other types of medical care. This change has been reflected in the standards of care for transgender health produced by the World Professional Association of Transgender Health (WPATH).”
Planned Parenthood will prescribe hormones after a single consultation.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c154glwppwxo
The investigation into Mermaids has concluded and the report stated that the charity had been mismanaged but there was no evidence of misconduct. Whatever the specifics of the case you mention with Bp Cottrell or your views on trans issues, Mermaids does not deserve to be smeared in this way.
It’s everywhere, James. I tried to advertise a gender critical get together for lesbian and gay Christians but the diocesan channels would not even consider something that is “controversial and this group’s explicit exclusion of trans people and opposition to trans self-understanding would bring you into that category.” We cannot even meet as LGB if the rest of the acronym is not invited. We are silenced if we don’t go along with ‘trans self-understanding,’ because we’re too controversial.
You specifically state that it’s “gender critical” i.e. anti-trans. You don’t get to then try the “We cannot even meet as LGB if the rest of the acronym is not invited.” dance. You can, you just can’t organise your group around your transphobia.
No, gender-critical does not mean ‘anti-trans’ at all, only that we believe that gender identity should not override biological sex. Because we are same-sex attracted. Admittedly, we don’t go along with trans self-understanding. Straight men who identify as women are not lesbians, and conversely. We just think you cannot ‘identify’ in or out of homosexuality and that gender ideology is deeply homophobic. If you think that boils down to organising ‘my’ group around transphobia, so be it.
A lot of trans people are straight.
“Gender critical” is to “transphobic” as “race realist” is to “racist”. It’s pseudo-intellectual window dressing on the same old hate.
No it is not. Race may be a social construct but sex definitely is not. And in no way do we believe that trans people are inferior or substandard or G-d knows what you have in mind. Only that one cannot change sex.
Thank you, Jo B.
Perhaps we need to recognise that isolating and damaging vulnerable people, be they teenage public schoolboys at a summer camp or trans people just wanting to live their lives, is unacceptable in Christ’s church.
How are we damaging trans people by meeting as gay and lesbian peeps? Simply by believing that a straight woman who injects testosterone is not a gay man?
You know ‘nothing* about that man’s medical history. You are just supplying your own assumptions. That’s wrong.
I’ll offer a thought. Often when an institution is very puzzled, troubled or divided some individuals within it will descend into a wrecking ‘let’s burn it all down’ mentality. I see that theme running through a great many posts on social media at the moment and from all sides of the church. Sometimes people with diametrically opposing views will band together in this demolition phase. What each one unconsciously believes, of course, is that it will be their own vision of the future that will rise phoenix-like from the ashes to cleanse, heal and revive the church. From here it… Read more »
Since the 1980’s a new culture has arisen which is charismatic evangelicalism, that in time will supersede conservative evangelicalism, and we should be grateful for that.
Adrian. Have you not noticed that this ‘new culture’ led by New Wine and HTB leaders is now firmly in Alliance with conservative evangelicals, not superseding it.
Thank you David. I would add that HTB is leading The Alliance. In light of this, Adrian, can you please explain the substantive (theological and pastoral, not stylistic) differences between Conservative and Charismatic Evangelicalism today? ps cf my correspondence with Susannah below
Susannah’s interesting insight into the history of this question:
https://www.thinkinganglicans.org.uk/statement-in-response-to-makin-review/#comment-476970
Thank you Jane. This is an outcome that I, too, have feared. But I think as Froghole observes on another thread here, it won’t much matter. The CofE is coming to an end. The Conservative Evangelical uprising has, and will continue, to hasten it, whilst giving the illusion that Resource Churches and an ‘orthodox’ and ‘biblical’ line on matters of human sexuality will lead to numerical growth.
Isn’t the culture concerning mission and church growth part of the problem? The next abuser may well not be a cane wielding conevo (Smyth’s very particular story may be part of an era that has passed away now). But has the Church really moved away from being wowed by charismatic – big C or small c – charmers who claim to have an answer to the major life questions of young, or in some other way, vulnerable and malleable people? Any response to the present crisis in the Church needs to be centred on structures and relationships where there is… Read more »
Thank you Jane. This is why I think the psychological assessment in Appendix 4 of Makin contains some of the most important resources for moving forward with emotional intelligence and the understanding we need.
For myself, Jane, all I want is for Archbishops and Bishops to be accountable for their actions, and their failings, in the same way they expect of we rank and file clergy, especially when we are justifiably complained about. It might be controversial of me to say this, but much as I think there is a great deal in safeguarding for which Archbishop Welby could rightly be held to account, to the point of resignation, I am far from sure that this should have been the proverbial hill on which he should have expired. His delay in meeting with survivors… Read more »
The Safeguarding Officer in Ely Diocese had a telephone conversation with a police officer and a meeting with two officers. The officer in the telephone conversation later said this was not a formal referral but to give advice. I think this is slightly disingenuous. The Police could have started an investigation on the basis of what they had been told, but did not. At the meeting, the officers said that it would be very difficult to extradite Smyth from South Africa. I wonder if consciously or unconsciously this influenced the Police approach. They might have thought there was little point… Read more »
Gavin Drake is very much to the point, & he particularly skewers the responses by ABY & the lead bishop for safeguarding. ABC undoubtedly misread the situation after publication of Makin & thus missed opportunity to go with grace. However as Drake says: “The Church of England does not need a scapegoat resignation. It needs wholesale reform. Justin Welby’s resignation should not be used as a fig leaf to hide the real continuing re-abuse of victims that regularly takes place in the Church.”
I endorse Gavin’s criticism of Stephen & Joanne. My personal experience of both of them is that they are far more ‘at fault’ than Justin.
However Gavin appears to have been silent about William Nye, and apologies in advance if I missed it?
Had I been ‘granted a single resignation wish’, William Nye would have been top of the list by a country mile.
Agreed
Absolutely, Simon. Nye would have been top of my list too. Indeed if Nye does not go, and fast, nothing will have been achieved by Welby’s resignation or anyone else’s. From the start he brought with him his previous royal courtier mantra of ‘never apologise never explain’, remaining aloof and in the shadows whilst causing untold damage to many, particularly victims and survivors. It’s a pound to a penny that he will have been one of the ‘senior colleagues’ who gave such bad advice to Welby last Thursday. And who do we think leaked the Makin report to Ch4? Having… Read more »
Gavin’s article is very much needed. I suspect we differ on whether JW hd to go for this reason. But, I think we agree the big danger is that now there will be a “ok all fixed now” attitude. One could very easily argue the lead bishop for safeguarding should have shown more leadership in getting the report commissioned earlier and in many other areas, and so is just as guilty. There are few of us who are squeaky clean on safeguarding in terms of getting it right first time every time, and amongst bishops (and other clergy) I think… Read more »
This only has meaning if others equally implicated in the Makin report also fall on their swords. Justin’s position was untenable but he was not alone.
Then I hope there is a true period of reflection and rapprochement as I do genuinely fear what comes next at this stage.
We need a culture where it doesn’t take a resignation for bishops to say exactly what they really think. I think that’s why I’m feeling somewhat nauseous reading all these bishops’ statements now. Structurally, having so many diocesan “petty kingdoms” doesn’t help.
Well over a hundred boys or young men were abused. If any of those people, or their parents, reported this to their local priest or other church authorities, I have to wonder why there was no action. The institutional failure includes Archbishop Welby in the 2010s, but goes far deeper. At least Archbishop Welby didn’t issue a non-apology apology, such as “I’m sorry you were offended by my actions.” He accepted, however belatedly, his own responsibility. I guess the Holy Spirit — or those 13,000 online signatures — gave him the discernment he didn’t see in the 2010s. I do… Read more »
Looks like central comms has been telling the dioceses what to say. There is a remarkable similarity between them all – all equally anodyne.
If it is central Comms, then credit to them for having a line quickly, and shame on the dioceses that were a day late.
But I suspect in reality after the first few other bishops will have copied and merged and previous answers.
Which I don’t think is that unfair. Many will not have more personal experience/involvement so can only make the same general comments
Ben Bradshaw urgently needs to sit down with a dozen or so victims of Historic Church-related abuse.
We were simultaneously laughing & crying at his suggestion that the Bishop of Stepney had behaved WELL!
With the sole exception of the two current Diocesans in the Southern Province who both withheld evidence from the Makin Review & from the Porter Review, I cannot think of any Bishop of the last 5 years who has behaved worse on issues of historic safeguarding than Joanne.
However I am more than happy to be put right by other TA readers.
I do wonder what others think about Bishop Helen-Ann’s letters.
I feel there is an irony that ++JS was criticised for not trying to interfere in the actions of a diocesan bishop, now the archbishops are criticised for trying to influence a bishop.
I don’t read it as coercion by the archbishops. But then I have a “real” job and get messages from my boss and others more senior to me all the same time.
I stand with +Helen-Ann; she has been bold and courageous, speaking from the then wilderness. Sentamu, Carey and others have erred and strayed; ++Stephen on the Radio4 Today programme suggests that the sacrifice of one man is sufficient, thus avoiding questions of the culpability of others who may be considered as ‘bosses’. That such coercion, manipulatiion and bullying is common in the ‘real’ world does not make it a acceptable practice in God’s kingdom.
How do you think people who are senior are supposed to express disagreement then? I really don’t believe this is coercion..
Or do you refuse to believe that anyone could ever have a different perspective? Any difference where you are trying to get another to change their mind must be by definition a coercion?
This is from a statement by Sam Wells to his church. I am grateful for it. There is so much to be grateful for. “When there is a very great wrong, there is a corresponding tide of demand that a leader visibly pay the price for an institution’s failings. It is tragic that a primacy bringing such profound good in so many areas, conducted by a person of singular faith, courage, humility and integrity, should end like this. But it seems the Archbishop has concluded that the unheard pleas of survivors, the degree of institutional failure, and the fact that… Read more »
By contrast, I think Sam Wells (for whom I have a great deal of respect) has been most unwise .His statement omits the salient fact that he is married to Bishop Bailey Wells who is very adversely criticised in the Makin report
I hope his wife will follow what he sees as such a fine example, David.
Thank you David for sharing this
I am personally deeply saddened that Justin has resigned. I don’t think it puts safeguarding in a better place. I ask myself what would Jesus’ approach to the issue be? I think we as a church are following the pattern of our society where failure automatically leads to resignation. We surely can do better than that. I’m sure Jesus would.
Is Sam Wells laying the ground work to defend the Bishop of Dorking, by any chance?
I believe you mean the former Bishop of Dorking. The present one has no need to be defended here.
Oh yes, I’d forgotten that she had moved on to be the absurdly titled Bishop for Episcopal Ministry.
I believe Justin is sincere in his faith, and he has been Archbishop at an almost impossible time in the history of the Church of England, so I have and do pray for Justin. However, I read that message from St Martin in the Fields earlier today, and I’m afraid the expression “his own role in the case was not impeccable” grates. I think survivors will feel it plays down the gravity of his failure. As I say, I believe Justin has tried to carry out his role with personal fidelity. But I think we need to avoid any hagiography… Read more »
Perhaps David Runcorn could speak to the Bishop of Crediton?
I do quite often actually,
I’m sorry. I can’t see that as anything but an unpleasant and unnecessary comment.
I believe the following sums up the present situation succinctly and well.
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2024/11/12/whoever-follows-justin-welby-church-of-england-archbishop/
I do not have a Telegraph subscription but if the title itself a clue … well. I do not know why you think this is a response to what I posted? Perhaps that was not your intention. I wanted to express some gratitude here.
My post was not a response to what you wrote. The Telegraph paywall was down today (13/11) but I’m uncertain whether it will be re-instated if access via this particular link is attempted after today. I think Madeline Grant’s piece is worth reading because it summarises in fewer than 900 words, the range of issues that need to be addressed in the aftermath of the archbishop’s resignation.
The Archbishop of York said that Justin Welby did “The right and honourable thing” in resigning. Will Mr Cottrell now do the same for repeatedly lying to General Synod about the abolition of the ISB?
Sam Wells actually sounds like a Christian fellow in what seems like a crowd of baying wolves who cannot surpress their blood lust as they hunt down further prey. Thanks David Runcorn for the quote. looking back over the 50 odd years since I began training for ministry I can hardly believe the change in culture and attitudes that brings us to today. My own life is full of infractions and risks I would now not even consider – there were none to scold me or complain back then but I followed two priests who had abused and raped children… Read more »
‘Blood lust’ – how crass. Many of those children did bleed apparently. Children in Africa bled because of the failures of bishops Welby, Conway and Bailey Wells. If they were honourable people they would have resigned the day the Makin report was published. Clinging on by their finger nails is undignified, undermines the institution they purport to care about but far more importantly insults Smyth’s victims post 2013.
If ++Justin has admitted wrongdoing shouldn’t he now face a CDM to determine formally the church’s reaction rather than bishops expressing their personal and individual views?
I’ve been so struck by Martyn Percy’s description of the C of E having become a form of dysfunctional Downton Abbey or Upstairs Downstairs. If this was a corporation ( apart from the Post Office perhaps) or a school there would be an expectation that the CEO would resign over a serious safeguarding error which seriously harmed a large number of people and was allowed to run for eleven years. And probably a lot of his senior team would have to go too . The comments here however are are focused on Welby the man and full of questions. Did… Read more »
Quite Susanna, And where — were the – victims and survivors when Justin’s Council closed down the ISB without providing warning, assistance, or comfort for them? In the name of – safeguarding? It’s looking the same with Makin and Smyth. They are peripheral walk on, walk off parts (with statutory words of sympathy) in these great affairs of state. The issue should not be (nod to Robin Day) a here today gone tomorrow Archbishop of Canterbury. The issue is those who as too often got ignored, or sidelined, in the interests of the company. I’d like to see one or… Read more »
In all the acres of newsprint, I’ve seen no mention of John Smyth’s family. In the Makin Review, the full names and year of birth is given for all four children. Why? I was also expecting to read about Ann Smyth’s motives eg was she coercively controlled. Is she still alive? What about the four children? And other family members?
I also think we need to keep ++Justin in our prayers. His family is a key part of his resignation statement, and we need to be mindful of all that has happened on the mental wellbeing of someone who has been courageously open about his mental health challenges. Perhaps we should stop battering him on these comments. What is done is done.
I’ve attached a link below to the brief statement released by our acting Primate on November 12th last. The Gavin Drake piece is particularly insightful and compelling. What is needed is making victims of abuse going forward a priority together with a meaningful effective reform of safeguarding. My concern is that the analysis offered by people like Gavin Drake will soon take second place to the campaigning around a new ABC. Adherents of what sociologists term the ‘normate discourse ‘ will likely be well organized, as some have noted. Speaking of which, I think there is a common ground between… Read more »
“It does seem to me it is the right decision given the full scope of what was released last week.” The Bishop of Oxford to the BBC on 13 November: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cwy5p1ez7p9o Welby apologised but that was rightly judged to be an insufficient response. How can Steven Croft not see that his apology for his own failure to act on a disclosure in 2012 of rape by Trevor Devamanikkam is also insufficient? It’s not just a question of ‘scope’ but of substance. A cynic might read Steven Croft’s choice of words as a way of drawing a line between the two… Read more »
Personally I think it would be a good idea to invite David Coltart (author of the Coltart Report) to come and address General Synod, and offer thoughts on how survivors in Zimbabwe should now be helped and compensated for the negligence of the Church of England I think that would be respectful to the victims and families in Zimbabwe, and perhaps could include inviting testimony from Edith Nyachuru, the sister of the boy who died. I also think that it would be good if Keith Makin was invited to address General Synod for his views on accountability. And most of… Read more »
Is it not possible for ++Justin, as he departs, publicly to identify and call for the resignation of the several others whose failures have contributed to the church’s corporate failure? We’re all worried about the underlying cultural problems not being addressed, and wondering who could take a lead in clearing out the rot, but can Justin not still play a significant part in that? Unlike any other bishop or senior figure making a statement, his words would still be national news, especially if he did this soon. I don’t know: I’m just asking the question.