The Final Chapter: Justin Welby’s Last Day as Archbishop of Canterbury

By the conclusion of Monday, Justin Welby will have ceremonially put down his staff and stepped down from his position as Archbishop of Canterbury.

Having spent minimal time in public following his resignation, Mr Welby is anticipated to dedicate his final day leading the Church of England in private at his London residence, Lambeth Palace.

His responsibilities will then largely transfer to the Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell, until a lasting successor is appointed, a procedure expected to take several months.

This occurs as numerous significant changes are under discussion within the Church, notably concerning safeguarding – the matter tied to Mr Welby’s resignation and one that has raised concerns regarding Mr Cottrell.

On Monday, celebrated as the feast of Epiphany in the Christian calendar, Mr Welby will participate in two ceremonies at Lambeth Palace, a Eucharist at noon and Evensong later in the evening.

Although his office has not revealed who will accompany him at these ceremonies, it is anticipated that he will place his crozier down at the evening service and formally conclude his tenure as archbishop at midnight.

Mr Welby resigned due to the Church’s management of the sadistic abuser, John Smyth, who a recently published report stated inflicted severe sexual, physical, and mental abuse on over 120 boys and young men since the late 1970s.

The report indicated that Mr Welby held “personal and moral responsibility” and that he “could and should have taken further action” regarding the case.

After initially resisting pressure to resign, he stepped down on 12 November, stating he did so “in sorrow with all victims and survivors of abuse”.

However, in early December, survivors of abuse expressed “disgust” at a brief farewell address Mr Welby delivered at the House of Lords, in which he made jokes. Mr Welby extended his apologies the following day.

Mr Welby did not deliver a Christmas Day sermon at Canterbury Cathedral and did not air a New Year’s Day message, which he typically would through the BBC.

Lambeth Palace announced that he would not be conducting any interviews prior to exiting his role, which occurs on Monday, coinciding with his 69th birthday. He resigns precisely a year earlier than initially expected.

From midnight on Monday, some of his responsibilities in London will be assumed by the Bishop of London, Sarah Mullally, and those in his Canterbury diocese by the Bishop of Dover, Rose Hudson-Wilkin.

The majority of his duties will be undertaken by Mr Cottrell, who has himself faced calls to resign due to his management of an abuse case.

Last month, a BBC investigation uncovered that in 2010, days after he became Bishop of Chelmsford, Mr Cottrell was informed of numerous historical sexual abuse allegations against a priest under his authority, David Tudor.

He was also informed that the Church and local council had prohibited Tudor from being alone with children.

Mr Cottrell stated in a declaration: “The situation regarding David Tudor was a dreadful situation to manage.”

“I wish for victims and survivors to know that every measure was taken to comprehend, evaluate, and manage the risk,” it continued.

Yet, under Mr Cottrell’s supervision, Tudor had his contract in the senior position of area dean renewed on two occasions and was made honorary canon of Chelmsford Cathedral in 2015.

Tudor was only suspended in 2019 when a fresh police investigation was initiated. Archbishop Cottrell asserts he acted as soon as he was legally permitted to.

Though he is taking on Mr Welby’s responsibilities, Mr Cottrell will remain located at Bishopthorpe Palace in North Yorkshire. He is expected to serve as de facto leader of the Church of England until at least the summer.

The 17-member committee tasked with selecting the next Archbishop of Canterbury has yet to be officially established. For the first time, it will include five members from the Anglican Church overseas.

This turbulent period for the Church leadership arises amidst threats that may divide the Church both domestically and internationally.

At home, the topic of blessings for same-sex unions has incited tensions among various factions within the Church.

Although the option for clergy members to conduct such blessings was approved during a vote at its national assembly, many continue to vehemently oppose this action, viewing it as contradictory to core Church principles.

Conversely, others are troubled that no significant steps have been taken towards achieving complete marriage equality within the Church of England, granting same rights to gay couples as heterosexual ones.

Current discussions are underway regarding the potential form that a blessing for same-sex unions might take within the Church, and some progressive members worry that the upheaval at the top levels might hinder that progress.

Similar apprehensions have been voiced concerning initiatives on racial justice and climate action, efforts that were being advanced by the Archbishops of Canterbury and York.