The Most Rev. Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury, resigned on Tuesday following the release of a scathing report that revealed he had failed to conduct a proper investigation into allegations of widespread abuse involving boys and young men at Christian summer camps decades ago.

Pressure had been mounting on Welby, who leads 85 million Anglicans worldwide, since the report was published last week. Helen-Ann Hartley, a prominent church leader and Bishop of Newcastle, publicly called for his resignation, while Prime Minister Keir Starmer notably refrained from offering support.

Welby’s departure marks the end of a turbulent tenure as Britain’s most prominent cleric, during which he oversaw significant events such as the coronation of King Charles III and became an outspoken advocate on topics like migration. However, his leadership faced ongoing struggles in reconciling the liberal and traditionalist factions within the Church of England. While he was never personally accused of abuse, he fell victim to the same sex-abuse scandals that have brought down leaders in other religious institutions, including the Roman Catholic Church.

In his resignation statement, Welby expressed sorrow for the failure to properly address the issue, taking both personal and institutional responsibility for the period between 2013 and 2024. “I hope this decision makes clear how seriously the Church of England understands the need for change and our profound commitment to creating a safer church,” he said, adding, “As I step down, I do so in sorrow with all victims and survivors of abuse.”

The resignation follows a series of scandals in the Roman Catholic Church related to the failure to protect young people from abusive clergy. Although Catholic leaders have faced prosecution and even expulsion from the clergy, no pope has resigned over similar failures. In comparison, the Church of England is smaller, and the scandal involving Welby stems from the abuse of victims by one perpetrator, John Smyth, rather than a widespread issue across multiple clergy members.

The process to select a new archbishop will involve the Crown Nominations Commission, which will submit a list of candidates to the prime minister and, ultimately, the monarch. This process could take months, and the selection remains largely shrouded in mystery. By tradition, candidates for archbishop do not seek the position publicly. Welby himself was surprised to be chosen as the 105th archbishop in 2013 and had been scheduled to retire in 2026.

During his time in office, Welby was a central figure in the ongoing debate over the Church of England’s stance on same-sex marriage. While the church allows priests to bless same-sex couples, the question of formal recognition remains unresolved. However, it was Welby’s mishandling of the sexual abuse scandal that ultimately led to his downfall.

An independent review revealed that Welby had failed to take adequate action after reports of abuse by John Smyth, a senior British lawyer, who inflicted physical, sexual, and psychological abuse on more than 100 victims over several decades. The report, compiled by former social services director Keith Makin, noted that Smyth had become one of the most prolific abusers associated with the Church of England, operating in multiple countries.

Despite attempts by some individuals to report the abuse, the Church of England’s response was described as inadequate, with the abuse being covered up for years. Welby admitted that he had not been aware of the full extent of the abuse until 2013 but acknowledged his personal failure to ensure proper investigations were conducted. He also confessed that he had failed to meet with victims quickly enough after the abuse was publicly revealed by Channel 4 in 2017.

The abuse took place at Christian summer camps, universities, and at Winchester College, where Smyth manipulated his victims into believing that suffering was a path to spiritual enlightenment. The report found clear evidence that the Church had covered up the abuse and failed to act on reports as early as 1982.

The investigation’s findings drew widespread condemnation, with calls for accountability within the Church of England. Bishop Hartley questioned whether the church could be trusted to protect people in the future. In the U.S., Sean Rowe, presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church, expressed similar concerns, stressing that the church must be a place of safety and respect for all people.

Welby’s rise to archbishop was considered unlikely by many. After attending Eton College and Cambridge University, he spent much of his career in finance before entering the priesthood in 1989. He eventually became Bishop of Durham in 2011 and succeeded Rowan Williams as Archbishop of Canterbury in 2013.

Throughout his tenure, Welby was at the center of historic events, including the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II and the coronation of King Charles III. He also became a vocal critic of policies like the Conservative government’s plan to deport asylum seekers to Rwanda. However, his leadership also alienated conservative factions within the church, especially over his support for women bishops and his handling of contentious issues like same-sex marriage.

Despite his reformist efforts, the Church of England has faced challenges, including a decline in worship attendance and divisions within the clergy. In an interview with The New York Times last year, Welby acknowledged the difficult balancing act required to keep the church united amidst differing views on key issues.

As Welby steps down, the Church of England is left to reckon with its past and consider how to move forward in the wake of a scandal that has shaken its credibility and trust.