The Church of England is facing renewed scrutiny as a former Archbishop of Canterbury, George Carey, along with several other clergy members, is set to face disciplinary action over alleged failures in handling sexual abuse cases. The revelation has sparked widespread debate over accountability within religious institutions, particularly regarding how past leaders responded to abuse allegations that have since come to light.
The case has resurfaced following a damning independent report published in November, which exposed systemic failures in addressing abuse within the Church. The report detailed how serial abuse perpetrated by a volunteer at Christian summer camps was known to several individuals within the Church, yet no decisive action was taken to protect victims. Among the most concerning revelations is that Carey was allegedly informed about serious physical and sexual abuse by prominent lawyer John Smyth, who was later found to have abused more than 100 young boys and men over five decades. Smyth’s actions, which were the subject of multiple investigations, went unreported to authorities for years, allowing him to continue his abuse unchecked.
Carey, who served as Archbishop of Canterbury from 1991 to 2002, resigned from his priesthood in December after reports emerged that he reinstated the Rev. David Tudor, a clergyman previously banned over sexual abuse allegations, during the 1990s. This decision has raised further concerns about his handling of clergy misconduct and the potential risk posed to vulnerable individuals within the Church.
Adding to the controversy, the inquiry also found that former Archbishop Justin Welby, who resigned last year, failed to report the abuse allegations against Smyth to the police despite being aware of the claims. These findings have intensified calls for greater transparency and accountability at the highest levels of Church leadership. While the Church has long pledged to improve safeguarding measures, critics argue that institutional failures persist, leaving survivors and victims without justice.
The Church’s national safeguarding team has now confirmed that disciplinary proceedings are being pursued against Carey and nine other clergy members over their handling of a separate abuse case. Alexander Kubeyinje, the Church of England’s national director of safeguarding, issued a public apology, acknowledging the immense harm suffered by survivors. “We know this will never undo the harm caused, but the Church is committed to taking very seriously its response to the findings of the review as well as responding to its recommendations,” Kubeyinje stated.
These developments come amid growing public pressure on religious institutions worldwide to confront their histories of mishandling abuse allegations. Survivors and advocacy groups have repeatedly called for independent oversight and stricter policies to ensure past mistakes are not repeated. The Church of England, which has already faced multiple inquiries into its safeguarding failures, now finds itself at a critical juncture where its actions—or inaction—will determine whether it can restore public trust.
As the disciplinary process unfolds, many are questioning whether Church leadership will take meaningful steps to prevent future abuse or whether these proceedings will serve as another chapter in a long history of institutional cover-ups. Survivors and the wider public will be watching closely, demanding accountability and systemic change within one of the world’s most prominent religious institutions.
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