In a stunning development that has sent shockwaves through the Church of England, Archbishop Justin Welby has resigned following the release of the Makin report, which exposed the horrific abuse of young boys by barrister John Smyth and the Church’s failure to take appropriate action.

The Makin report reveals the shocking abuse that took place at Christian summer camps run by the Iwerne Trust during the 1970s and 1980s, where Smyth systematically groomed young boys, subjected them to violent beatings, and covered up the crimes within the church for decades. It was also revealed that Welby himself attended these camps as a young man. Despite knowledge of the abuse dating back to the early 1980s, the church failed to intervene, and Smyth was never brought to justice before his death in 2018.

In an emotional statement, Justin Welby expressed deep shame and acknowledged both personal and institutional responsibility for the church's failure to act on the abuse. He recognized the profound impact of these safeguarding failures, which have marred the reputation of the Church of England. Welby’s decision to step down is without precedent and has been described as a "seismic shock" to the church, which is already grappling with its handling of abuse allegations within its ranks.

The revelation has sparked intense debate and further scrutiny of the Church’s response to allegations of abuse, with many calling for greater accountability and reform within its leadership. The resignation of such a prominent figure is seen as a direct consequence of the findings in the Makin report and a symbolic attempt to take responsibility for the years of neglect and harm caused by the Church's failure to act.

As Welby steps down, questions remain about the wider impact of the scandal on the Church of England and its future direction. The resignation is expected to prompt further calls for a reckoning within the church as it seeks to restore trust and address the systemic failures revealed by the abuse scandal.