### Calls for Archbishop of Canterbury's Resignation Amid Child Abuse Scandal

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, faces intense calls for his resignation following a scathing report that criticized his handling of a notorious child abuser. The independent review revealed that Welby did not take adequate action against John Smyth, a former British lawyer accused of committing horrific abuse against numerous young boys and men.

The Makin Report, released on November 7, documents the extensive and brutal abuse carried out by Smyth from the 1970s until his death in 2018. Smyth's victims, who number as many as 130, endured severe physical, psychological, and sexual abuse, including savage beatings. The report implicates senior levels of the Church of England, stating that leaders knew of the abuse and failed to act.

Members of the Church's General Synod, the governing body of the Church of England, have responded by initiating a petition urging Archbishop Welby to step down. They argue that his failure to further investigate upon learning about the abuse indicates a significant lapse in leadership. Helen-Ann Hartley, the Bishop of Newcastle, told the BBC that Welby's position has become untenable, citing the church's struggle to maintain moral authority.

Despite these calls, Lambeth Palace, the archbishop's residence, released a statement clarifying that Welby has no intention of resigning. The archbishop has apologized for his shortcomings and the broader failings within the church to address the abuse adequately. He acknowledged his personal oversight in not ensuring a more robust investigation into Smyth when he became aware of the allegations.

Smyth, who abused boys he met through evangelical Christian summer camps for elite British private school students, evaded justice for years. Though denied ordination, he moved to Zimbabwe in 1984, where he is estimated to have abused 85 to 100 more children aged between 13 and 17. While Smyth died in South Africa at the age of 77 while under investigation by UK authorities, the review highlights that top church officials missed crucial opportunities in 2012 and 2013 to bring him to justice.

Adding to the complexity of the matter is Welby's past association with Smyth. Both met through the summer camps, and that relationship continued through periodic exchanges and donations to Smyth's "missions" in Zimbabwe. Welby claims he was unaware of the abuse until 2013, despite a report dating back to 1982 alerting some church officials of Smyth’s activities.

During his tenure as Archbishop, Welby has consistently demanded accountability for mishandling abuse allegations, including those involving his predecessor and other high-ranking church dignitaries. However, the gravity of the Smyth case and the archbishop’s perceived inaction have placed unprecedented pressure on him to resign. Notably, there is no historical precedent for the forced resignation of an Archbishop of Canterbury over such issues, nor any formal mechanism for removal.