Bishops in the Church of England were reluctant to call for the resignation of the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, following revelations of a sexual abuse cover-up by John Smyth. Smyth, who led Christian summer camps, was not brought to justice before his death in 2018 due to the Church’s failure to report the incidents to the police.
Dr. Helen-Ann Hartley, the bishop of Newcastle, was the sole voice publicly calling for Mr. Welby’s resignation. She suggested that other bishops remained silent due to concerns about their own career advancement within the Church. Bishop Helen-Ann emphasized the need for a prophetic voice in challenging unhealthy theologies that have persisted within the Church for many years.
The report authored by Keith Makin shed light on the dysfunction within the Church, prompting some colleagues to finally speak out. The Church’s deputy lead bishop for safeguarding acknowledged that the institution is not entirely safe and hinted at the possibility of others needing to step down in the wake of Mr. Welby’s resignation.
Fear of reprimand, careerism, and a culture of silence were cited as reasons for the reluctance of bishops to address issues within the Church openly. Bishop Helen-Ann underscored the importance of speaking out against wrongdoing and standing up for justice, even in the face of discomfort or opposition.
The revelations surrounding Mr. Welby’s resignation have sparked discussions within the Church about the need for accountability, transparency, and a reevaluation of entrenched beliefs and practices. The interview with Bishop Helen-Ann Hartley will provide further insights into the challenges faced by the Church and the necessary steps towards healing and reform.
