Tue Nov 12 20:23:53 UTC 2024: ## Archbishop of Canterbury Resigns After Abuse Report

**London** – The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, has resigned after a report found he failed to adequately investigate claims of abuse at Christian summer camps. The report, published last week, detailed widespread abuse of boys and young men over several decades.

Mr. Welby, the spiritual leader of 85 million Anglicans worldwide, faced mounting pressure to step down following the report. Helen-Ann Hartley, Bishop of Newcastle, called for his resignation, and Prime Minister Keir Starmer declined to offer his support.

Mr. Welby’s resignation brings a sudden end to his tenure as the Archbishop of Canterbury, a position he held since 2013. During his time in office, he presided over the coronation of King Charles III and became a prominent voice on issues like migration. However, he struggled to unite a church divided between liberal and traditional factions.

While not accused of any abuse himself, Mr. Welby acknowledged responsibility for the church’s inaction in his statement: “It is very clear that I must take personal and institutional responsibility for the long and retraumatizing period between 2013 and 2024.” He confirmed that he had sought permission from King Charles III to resign.

This resignation follows a pattern of high-profile leaders in religious institutions stepping down in the wake of sex abuse scandals, mirroring similar events within the Roman Catholic Church.

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