Church has a ‘long way to go’ after ‘sickening’ abuse

Right Reverend Rachel Treweek said Justin Welby was right to resign

The Bishop of Gloucester says the Church of England (CofE) has a “very long way to go” after a damning report found it covered up “sickening” historic sexual abuse.

Right Reverend Rachel Treweek said there were “lessons to learn” following the resignation of the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, over pressure he faced for not reporting prolific child abuser John Smyth.

“I hope [the resignation] has gone some small way in giving the signal that we are committed to putting survivors and victims at the forefront, and that it must no longer be about protecting the Church,” Bishop Treweek said.

The Bishop of Bath and Wells, Michael Beasley, said the Archbishop’s resignation was a “difficult decision” to make.”

'Focus on victims'

The review found that Justin Welby “could and should” have reported John Smyth’s abuse of boys and young men to police in 2013.

“I believe that stepping aside in in the best interests of the Church of England,” Bishop Welby said in a statement.

Bishop Treweek, the first female diocesan bishop in the Church of England, told BBC Radio Gloucestershire that she believed Mr Welby was right to resign.

“Obviously that’s not easy,” she said.

“We have to keep the focus on victims and survivors and in all the sadness that will be experienced by many people around the Archbishop’s resignation, it’s really important that we don’t lose focus on the deep sadness and abuse the victims have experienced.”

The Diocese of Bath and Wells will be audited next year

Bishop Beasley, appointed Bishop of Bath and Wells in 2022, added the resignation “makes clear how seriously the Church of England understands the need for change."

“I think what he has done is put the church and safeguarding first and I can only respect that,” Mr Beasleysaid.

“I really encourage people to look at what we are finding out in this Diocese and in other dioceses around the country, as our current safeguarding activity is independently audited.

“Bath and Wells is going to be audited in April next year and we are really looking forward to all the learning that we will gain. It will show us where we need to learn and do better.”