Former Archbishop Justin Welby Admits He 'Got It Wrong' on Abuse Scandal Response

In-Depth Analysis

### Background: The Makin Review and John Smyth

The resignation of Justin Welby and his recent admission stem from the findings of the Makin Review, an independent report investigating the Church of England's handling of allegations against John Smyth. Smyth, a prominent barrister involved with Christian charities and camps, perpetrated violent physical, sexual, psychological, and spiritual abuse against numerous young men and boys from the 1970s onwards, both in Winchester, UK, and later in Africa.

The review concluded that the Church hierarchy, including Welby upon becoming Archbishop in 2013, was aware of the abuse. It heavily criticized the institution for cover-ups spanning decades and specifically faulted Welby for a lack of sufficient curiosity and for failing to report the details presented to him in 2013 to the relevant authorities. This inaction, the report suggests, delayed potential justice for victims, as Smyth died in 2018 before facing legal consequences.

### Welby's Explanation and Broader Concerns

In his first interview since resigning, Welby explained the context of 2013, stating the influx of historical abuse cases was "overwhelming," leading to a failure in prioritization regarding Smyth's case, despite knowing him. He emphasized, "The reality is I got it wrong. As Archbishop, there are no excuses."

One of Smyth's victims, known as Graham, countered this, telling the BBC, "No one should be too busy to deal with a safeguarding disclosure."

Welby also commented on the intense pressure faced by public figures, noting a potential "rush to judgement" and a societal lack of forgiveness. He observed, "We don't treat our leaders as human. We expect them to be perfect. If you want perfect leaders you won't have any leaders," while clarifying this wasn't an excuse in the context of safeguarding failures.

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Takeaways

• **Institutional Accountability:** This case underscores the critical importance of robust safeguarding procedures within large institutions and the need for leaders to take direct responsibility for failures.
• **Impact on Victims:** The decades-long cover-up and delayed action had devastating consequences for Smyth's victims, highlighting the profound harm caused when institutions fail to protect the vulnerable.
• **Leadership Pressure:** Welby's comments raise questions about societal expectations of leaders versus the need for accountability, particularly in cases of negligence or institutional failure.

Discussion

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