Bishop of Salisbury 'respects' Archbishop Justin Welby's resignation
The Church of England leader's stepped down following claims of an abuse cover-up
The Bishop of Salisbury, Right Reverend Stephen Lake, has responded to the resignation of the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby.
He stepped down from the role yesterday (Tuesday 12th November) following a report into a prolific abuser associated with the Church of England.
A review suggests that had Justin Welby alerted police almost a decade ago - the crimes of late Hampshire barrister John Smyth may have been brought sooner.
Some of Smyth's victims are alleged to have been attended Christian summer camps in Dorset in the 1970s and 80s.
Smyth died in 2018, while he was under investigation by Hampshire Police, before charges could be brought.
The Bishop of Salisbury, whose Diocese includes South Wiltshire, most of Dorset and the Channel Islands, says he 'respects' the Archbishop's decision to step aside.
Bishop Stephen also says victims and survivors should be 'at the centre' of the changes within the Church as a result of the review.
Here's his statement in full:
"I, together with Bishop Karen and Bishop Andrew, respect the decision of Archbishop Justin to step aside from his role as Archbishop of Canterbury and will continue to pray for him and his family. Archbishop Justin has taken personal and institutional responsibility to enable deeper change.
"The Makin review has exposed horrific abuse and misuse of power over many years. Questions out of this report must be addressed by the church in a trauma-informed way, which places victims and survivors at the centre of it. In recent days the focus of debate has moved away from this, so I would ask us to refocus our attention back to the experience of victims and survivors and the lessons we must learn from doing so.
"In this diocese we will continue to work to implement good safeguarding practices, supported by clergy and volunteers in our parishes and advised by our professional safeguarding team. We remain committed to engaging with victims and survivors of abuse.
"I offer this prayer which sustains me daily:
Thanks be to you, our Lord Jesus Christ,
for all the benefits you have given us,
for all the pains and difficulties you bear with us.
O merciful Redeemer, friend and brother,
may we see you more clearly,
love you more dearly,
and follow you more nearly,
day by day. Amen."
If you have felt affected by issues raised in the report you can speak to Safe Spaces, a free and independent support service |newtab), providing a confidential, personal and safe space for anyone impacted by church related abuse. by calling 0300 303 1056.
The Salisbury Diocese Safeguarding Team can be contacted via safeguarding@salisbury.anglican.org