Resignation of the Archbishop of Canterbury announced on 12th November: SELECTION
Statement on the Archbishop’s website
“When I was informed in 2013 and told that police had been notified, I believed wrongly that an appropriate resolution would follow. It is very clear that I must take personal and institutional responsibility for the long and retraumatising period between 2013 and 2024.”
Immediate aftermath of resignation – live reporting and interviews, from BBC News
Bishop [of Birkenhead] says more C of E senior clergy may need to resign over abuse scandal - Guardian
Bishop of Newcastle [the first bishop to openly call for Welby’s resignation] accuses Archbishops of Canterbury and York of bullying, and laxity in safeguarding.
Andrew Brown writing in the Church Times sees a “media mob” missing out key facts, jumping to conclusions and over-simplifying a complex narrative: “the story as it has appeared will be immensely damaging to the Church and, indeed, Christianity”. [Social media, of course, has been even worse – ed].
Glenn Scrivener reminding us [YouTube video] to focus on the real reason for Archbishop Justin’s resignation, the shame of the church and the need for vigilance in safeguarding (as quoted in the Editorial). 
Ian Paul has been interviewed many times on TV and Radio about the Smyth scandal and the resignation. His article ‘Who will be the next Archbishop of Canterbury?’ offers many important observations including these:
- Bishops rushing to condemn safeguarding failures have not spoken sufficiently about excellent work done in churches, or how the gospel is still true.
- The new Archbishop must be someone who believes the doctrine of the C of E, a servant-leader and pastor.
Who might replace the ABC? Andrew Graystone looks at possible contenders in The Tablet
Gafcon responds to the resignation of Archbishop Welby
While the Gafcon Primates have been critical of the Archbishop’s leadership, the circumstances of his resignation is not an occasion for rejoicing, but for grief and self-reflection… We pray for Archbishop Justin, his wife Caroline, …and for all those who have experienced sexual abuse by false shepherds in the church of God. May they know the peace of God that passes understanding and that heals all our infirmities. (See Gafcon communique)
Makin Review into abuse perpetrated by John Smyth published November 7th
Press release from the Church of England: Key findings
“Despite the efforts of some individuals to bring the abuse to the attention of authorities, the responses by the Church of England and others were wholly ineffective and amounted to a coverup.
“…Smyth is arguably the most prolific serial abuser to be associated with the Church of England…It was wrong for a seemingly privileged group from an elite background to decide that the needs of victims should be set aside, and that Smyth’s abuse should not therefore be brought to light.”
Report in full
Excerpts from the conclusions and recommendations:
“Many ordained persons, some very senior within the Church, became aware of the abuse at varying times from at least 1982 onwards. This knowledge was gained sometimes several years after the abuse took place but was carried throughout the years and decades that follow, with no successful action to address it.”
“We conclude that… John Smyth could and should have been formally reported to the police in the UK and to authorities in South Africa (Church authorities and potentially the police) by Church officers, including a diocesan Bishop and Justin Welby in 2013.”
“John Smyth was able to radicalise his victims, by using his misinterpretation and misuse of the Scriptures. He taught, preached, and exploited children and young people by applying a false theology, based on selected Scriptures, taken out of context….that the way to Christ was through suffering, and he offered a ‘programme’ which included ensuring that suffering was a route to the atonement of sins. This false thinking and perverted approach was known to the people around him and could have been challenged for what it was.”
Keith Makin
Detailed summary and review from Church Times
Short documentary report from Cathy Newman, including interview with Archbishop Justin Welby; Channel 4 News (YouTube video)
CofE covered up 'abhorrent and brutal' abuse by predator John Smyth, report finds
Premier Christian News
- PRAY that the Lord would raise up responsible and godly leaders at this disastrous time for the reputation of the Church of England in the nation, who will be guided by the Holy Spirit in what they say and do.
Same sex relationships, Archbishop Welby’s views and church policy
In an interview on ‘The rest is politics’ show, broadcast at the end of October
Justin Welby says in response to the question “Is gay sex a sin?”: “All sexual activity should be within a committed relationship…whether it’s straight or gay”.
Andrew Goddard explains in Psephizo why this is so serious:
“The Archbishop has redefined the Christian sexual ethic. In so doing he has expressed a view contrary to the teaching of the Church of England and wider historic, ecumenical consensus understood to derive from Scripture and gone back on his own repeated statements affirming that teaching in the past.”
Evangelist, podcaster and Anglican Minister Glen Scrivener says of Welby:
“I’m afraid his answer lacks honesty, it lacks courage, it lacks leadership, it lacks faith”,
Scrivener goes on to dissect the interview in detail, explaining what Welby said, why it is wrong, and what the correct teaching of the Christian faith should be according to Scripture. “Welby’s answer on this has been the same for the last seven years… and many of us missed it”, admits Scrivener.
Vaughan Roberts, interviewed on The Pastor’s Heart, also criticises Welby’s remarks and explains why and how The Alliance is seeking a separate jurisdiction for orthodox Anglicans within the Church of England.
Letter from the Alliance, stating their intention “to begin setting up a de facto parallel province within the Church of England in response to the de facto change in doctrine.”
Anglican Futures casts doubt on the Alliance plan
“Nowhere is it said that if their demands are not met, they will covenant together to leave the Church of England taking their wealth and numbers with them…There really is little point in issuing an ultimatum without a consequence - it will simply be ignored, as the bishops have proved.”
Gafcon Primates, meeting in South Carolina following attendance at the investiture of Steve Wood as the new Archbishop of the Anglican Church in North America (ACNA),
issue a statement in which they rebuke Archbishop Welby and affirm support for faithful Anglicans inside and outside the Canterbury structures:
“Therefore, we continue to champion The Anglican Network in Europe (ANiE) as Gafcon’s authentically-Anglican structural provision for those who cannot by conscience remain within the historic, revisionist structures. Additionally, we express our support for The Alliance as they seek to stand firm in defense of biblical marriage within the Church of England…”
Full Gafcon Statement here
- PRAY that God’s plan for sex and marriage and the gospel of forgiveness and empowerment of the Holy Spirit for good works would be courageously explained in church activities and in the public square, and faithfully modelled in homes.
Other news and analysis
The Bible has been downloaded to mobile devices 727 million times through one app alone: the 'YouVersion' platform is by far the most widely used around the world.
From Evangelical Focus
Will the latest bid to remove bishops from the House of Lords succeed? By Julian Mann, Christian Today?
Thousands participate in first ever 'March for Jesus' in Dublin to share hope of the gospel and pray for Ireland, from Christian Today
Senior Labour figures voice concern over assisted dying bill, warning proposals will not have long enough to be fully debated before vote
Report from the Daily Mail
See also:
What does Christian theology contribute to the assisted dying debate? By Ian Paul, Psephizo
US election: various views
Trumps victory is good news for religious believers, by RR Reno, First Things
Why Christian Nationalists defend the criminal Trump at any cost
By Rev George Pitcher, Premier Christianity
With Trump and Vance, will American family policy get back on track?
by Michael Cook, Mercator:
The return of Donald Trump and why it is so significant
By Martin Whittock, Christian Today
Creative mission
Leadership training in the Diocese of Gambella, Ethiopia (Province of Alexandria)
Gambella borders South Sudan and so is host to thousands of refugees from that war-torn country. By the Lord’s grace, many people are coming to faith, and Anglican churches are growing rapidly. Listen to this interview with Bishop Jeremiah Paul Koryom who says his priority is training leaders for church ministry and community work. Read more about how BUILD Partners are helping with this training.
Three week intensive training course completed!
Church in Norfolk invites residents to battle forces of darkness on Halloween
The church welcomed hundreds trick or treating in their neighbourhood to bravely enter a ‘Battle Zone’ in order to discover Light on a Dark Night. From Evangelical Focus
“Too often the church has retreated into the safety of the more usual Light Party to avoid the cultural phenomenon of Halloween. We …find it thrilling and more effective to share the message of Christ in a way that positively engages our wonderful community, whilst highlighting the powerful, yet remarkably loving way, that Christ defeats the powers of darkness in our world through his death”.
Long read:
A Review of the Seoul Statement of the Fourth Lausanne Congress (2024)
By Rollin Grams
Part one: The Gospel
Part two: Scripture
Part three: The Church
Part Four: The Human Person
Summary for prayer:
- Pray for the all those who have suffered sexual, emotional, psychological, physical, or spiritual abuse at the hands of Christian workers or Church leaders.
- Pray for all those affected by the findings of the Makin review.
- Pray into the appointment of a new Archbishop of Canterbury.
- Pray against the assisted dying bill.
- Pray for mission and effective proclamation of the Gospel to young people and for Christian revival in the schools.
- Pray for strength and protection for God’s people, that we would be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power, clothed in the full armour of God so that we can take our stand against the devil's schemes.
The delegates present in Kigali pledged to give over $750,000 to become foundation members of the Gafcon Endowment Fund, by pledging to give $10,000 over the next 3 years. Might you or other faithful Anglicans that you know become founder members also?
You can sign up for a regular confidential update of items for prayer.
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