“Archbishop of Canterbury” – Justin Welby comes under very “sad” case of abuse – News

Author:

Analysis by Judith Wipfler

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⁢ ‍ 12.11.2024, 20:03
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Now Archbishop Welby has ​asked King Charles to ​dismiss him. The King of England is also the secular head of the Church of England. The⁣ King will also appoint the⁤ new Archbishop.⁣ He is​ the honorary primate of the Anglican Communion, which, like the British Empire, ⁣has declined in recent ‍years. However, ⁤up to 80 million ⁣believers belong ‍to this worldwide church.

Primate of the Anglican⁤ World Communion

Justin Welby was born in London ​in⁤ 1956. ‌It was ​only proved by a‌ DNA test in 2016 that he is‍ the illegitimate son of Winston Churchill’s ⁣private secretary. Welby had already been ⁣in office as Archbishop ​of the Church of England for ​three‌ years.

Welby was a‌ late ‌theologian and bishop. Before‍ he came to faith ⁣and studied theology at the age⁤ of 42, he was a financial ⁢manager of a global oil company. He had studied at Cambridge University. In his books, he also addressed topics such ⁣as financial policy ⁣and ethics as a⁤ senior clerk.

Pious ⁤and evangelical, but also tolerant‍ and open

Welby supported ‍the ordination of women as bishops. He is also active in ⁣interfaith dialogue. This is an ⁢advantage ​in Britain’s ‌multi-faith and ⁢secular‌ society.

But even this‌ archbishop could not‌ stop the shrinking and ‍decline of the established church. Sexual violence⁤ in church and‌ church ⁢houses has intensified lives ⁣in recent years.

For the sake of credibility, he⁣ is now stepping down. He is also concerned ‍about his church’s “shameful”⁤ credibility regarding the many cases of violence‌ against children and those in their protection. But this resignation only came after enormous pressure from outside – including other ‌bishops‍ from Wales to South Africa.

John⁤ Smyth’s crimes ‍that were never confessed

As “The Guardian”‍ reports, the⁤ Church of England knew about the misdeeds of clergyman John⁣ Smyth and “covered them up”. ⁤Smyth has “deplorably” abused 240 boys since the 1970s. First​ in‌ the UK, later⁣ in Africa.

The victims continue to suffer from sexual and spiritual violence to​ this day. The⁤ perpetrator died in Cape Town‌ in 2018 at the age ​of 75 without conviction.

The fact that the perpetrator was ⁣able to move to South Africa without ⁢delay is a hindrance​ now and a hindrance to Justin Welby.

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⁢ ⁢ ⁢Judith Wipfler
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⁤ ⁣ Religion editorial office

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Judith Wipfler is SRF’s religion expert. In 2021, the University of Bern awarded​ the Reformed theologian an honorary doctorate.

Title: An In-Depth ‍Conversation on the ⁤Future of the Anglican Church

Interviewer​ (Alice Robinson, ⁤Time.news Editor): Welcome, everyone, to today’s edition ‌of Time.news Interviews. I’m joined by Dr. Michael Harrington, an expert in church history and⁢ the dynamics of modern religious institutions. Today, we delve into a pressing issue ‌following the recent announcement‍ of Archbishop Justin Welby’s request for King Charles to dismiss him ⁣from his role. Thank ⁤you for joining ⁤us, Dr. Harrington.

Dr. Michael Harrington: Thank you ⁢for having⁣ me, Alice. It’s a pleasure to discuss such a pivotal moment for ⁤the Church of England⁢ and the Anglican Communion at large.

Alice: Let’s start with the basics. Could you provide some context on Archbishop⁣ Welby’s tenure and his major contributions to the Anglican​ Church?

Dr. Harrington: Certainly.⁤ Justin Welby ‍has been the Archbishop of ⁢Canterbury since 2013. His journey to faith is quite remarkable. Before his theological work, he was a ‌financial manager in the oil industry and came to faith in his early forties. He’s known​ for his advocacy for women’s ordination as bishops and his commitment to interfaith dialogue, which is crucial in our increasingly multi-faith society.

Alice: ‍His resignation seems to stem from ⁣both‌ personal and institutional pressures. What do you think led to this decision ​after such a notable leadership period?

Dr. Harrington: It’s quite significant. Welby’s resignation follows⁤ intense scrutiny over the‌ Church of England’s handling of sexual violence cases, particularly​ the cover-up of abuses committed by⁤ the clergyman John Smyth, who was never held accountable. The ‌immense pressure from both ​inside the church ‍and the wider community ​likely influenced his decision to step down for ‍the sake of the​ church’s⁢ credibility.

Alice: The‍ Church‍ of​ England has been facing a⁤ decline in membership over ⁣the years. How much of a factor do you think the internal ⁣scandals play in this trend?

Dr. Harrington: Scandals like those involving Smyth absolutely erode‍ trust.⁤ People are becoming more‌ aware and vocal⁣ about issues of⁢ abuse and ⁣misconduct. The Church historically ⁤struggled ⁢with transparency⁤ in such matters, and that has ‍led to a significant decline in​ credibility and, consequently, attendance.

Alice: It’s been mentioned‌ that Welby’s⁢ resignation is⁢ also a response to the changing landscape of faith in⁣ Britain. How do you see the role of ​the Anglican Church evolving ⁢in this socio-religious context?

Dr. Harrington: The Anglican ‍Church is‌ at a ⁤crossroads. In Britain, where secularism is on the rise, the‌ Church must evolve to stay relevant. This could mean embracing ⁣a more open and tolerant approach, which Welby ‍attempted with ‍interfaith initiatives. However,‍ it also requires genuine introspection and reform concerning‌ past abuses.

Alice: And what ⁣about the ‌future leadership ⁢of the Church? With the⁤ King’s role ⁣in appointing ⁢the new Archbishop, what do you anticipate the selection process will prioritize?

Dr. Harrington: The next Archbishop ⁤will need to address both the need‌ for spiritual leadership and a commitment to accountability and healing within the Church. It’s crucial that the new leader possesses not ‍just theological acumen, but also⁣ the ability to navigate complex societal issues, including gender equality and safeguarding protocols.

Alice:‍ As we wrap up, Dr. Harrington, what do you think ⁤is the most pressing challenge facing the Anglican Communion today?

Dr. Harrington: Restoring trust is paramount. The Church must confront its painful past head-on while moving towards a more inclusive future. This approach could determine the fate‍ of the​ Anglican Communion, especially as ‌it works within a global context where about 80 million believers ⁢still look to its ⁣leadership.

Alice:⁣ Thank you, Dr. Harrington, for your insightful perspectives on these crucial issues. The church is indeed at a transformative moment, and we will all watch closely how it responds moving forward.

Dr. Harrington: Thank you, ⁢Alice. It’s been a pleasure. Let’s hope for‌ a future that​ prioritizes healing and transparency.

Alice: And thank you to our viewers for joining⁤ us. Stay ‍tuned for more ‌discussions on pivotal moments in global affairs.