In a significant development, Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby has resigned following the release of an independent report that criticized his handling of sexual abuse allegations against John Smyth, a former lawyer with strong connections to the Church of England.

Background of the Case:

* John Smyth is accused of abusing over 100 young men during the 1970s and 1980s in the UK, Zimbabwe, and South Africa.

* Smyth was a senior member of the Iwerne Trust, a Christian charity that organized summer camps for young people.

* An internal investigation conducted by Iwerne Trust in 1982 uncovered evidence of Smyth’s abuse, but the police were not notified until 2013.

The Makin Review: The independent review, known as the Makin Review, examined Welby’s response to the allegations:

* It concluded that Welby, upon learning of Smyth’s crimes in 2013, failed to report them to the authorities, which may have led to Smyth being brought to justice sooner.

* The report revealed a "conspiracy of silence" within the Anglican Church, which helped cover up the abuse for decades.

Welby’s Initial Response:

* Welby initially refused to step down, asserting that he was unaware of the abuse before 2013.

* He apologized for his "failures and omissions" in handling the case, but insisted that he was not personally responsible for the cover-up.

Report Findings:

* The Makin Review questioned Welby’s claims of ignorance, stating it was "unlikely" he was unaware of Smyth’s actions.

* The report accused Welby of failing to fulfill his "personal and moral responsibility" to ensure a proper investigation into the abuse.

Pressure and Public Reaction:

* Following the publication of the report, pressure on Welby to resign intensified.

* Several clergy members and victims of Smyth called for his immediate departure.

* A petition demanding his resignation garnered over 14,000 signatures.

* UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer stated that Smyth’s victims had been "gravely let down" and emphasized that it was the Church’s decision whether Welby should remain in office.

Welby’s Resignation:

* Ultimately, Welby announced his resignation, acknowledging that it was "clear" he must take personal and institutional responsibility for the failures in handling the abuse.

* He expressed "deep sorrow" for the victims and hoped his decision would demonstrate the Church’s commitment to meaningful change and a safer environment for all.

This resignation marks a pivotal moment for the Anglican Church, which is under growing pressure to address the issue of sexual abuse within its ranks. The challenge for Welby’s successor will be to restore trust in the institution and ensure that such abuses never happen again.