The Makin Review concluded that Smyth, a prolific abuser associated with the Church of England, might have faced justice had Mr Welby formally alerted authorities in 2013.
He was under investigation by Hampshire Police and was "never brought to justice for the abuse", the review published last week said.
"The Makin Review has exposed the long-maintained conspiracy of silence about the heinous abuses of John Smyth. "It is very clear that I must take personal and institutional responsibility for the long and retraumatising period between 2013 and 2024.The jobs nobody wants to do – but pay £53k and you don’t need a degree
"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."The last few days have renewed my long-felt and profound sense of shame at the historic safeguarding failures of the Church of England.
United Kingdom Latest News, United Kingdom Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby considered resigning over 'appalling' barrister abuse scandalJohn Smyth QC's abuse was covered up within the Church of England for years, an independent review found.
Read more »
Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby under growing pressure to resign over Church abuse scandalThe Archbishop of Canterbury is facing pressure to resign over a damning report into a barrister thought to have been the most prolific serial abuser to be associated with the Church of England.
Read more »
Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby faces growing calls to resign over sex abuse scandalChurch leaders said Justin Welby's position was 'completely untenable' while a petition called for urgent change for the 'sake of survivors, for the protection of the vulnerable' after last week's independent report.
Read more »
Bishop leads calls for Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby to resign over 'failures' to stop abuseA Church of England bishop has joined calls for the Archbishop of Canterbury to resign after a damning report into a prolific child abuser associated with the Church.
Read more »
Bishop calls on Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby to resign over John Smyth sex abuse scandalChurch leaders are saying Justin Welby's position is 'completely untenable' while a petition calls for urgent change for the 'sake of survivors, for the protection of the vulnerable' after last week's independent report.
Read more »
Petition calling for Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby to resign over abuse 'failures' hits more than...The Archbishop of Canterbury is under mounting pressure to quit over his handling of an abuse scandal, with a bishop saying 'his position is untenable'.
Read more »