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Justin Welby’s resignation points to a gospel of justice
On Tuesday, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, resigned.
Following on from an 11,000-signature strong petition, his resignation came after the release of a report damning the decades-long abuses by Christian leader, John Smyth QC. While the abuse was before he was archbishop, Justin knew of the cover-up, failed to seek justice and protect victims, and thus accepted his personal and institutional responsibility.
This shockwave amplifies the generational rumblings of distrust with the church as an institution and makes me feel anxious about individuals under whose authority I currently sit. Not to mention my own experiences of power abuse in camp and church culture.
I think of my non-Christian friends. As someone in my mid-20s, I am already struggling with a Sunday service invite or sharing the dates of the next Alpha course. With an already suspicious cohort, how do I begin to reconcile my own anxieties and convince myself – and them – that regular community with other believers is necessary and nurturing?
As a younger generation, we can feel ill-equipped to engage with those in authority and speak truth against abuse and injustice, even while we desperately want our friends to know Jesus.
Many Christian leaders have made terrible errors in judgement. Victims and church culture alike are better in its exposure. And yet, it is only the gospel and the redemption it promises that can give us hope. The church’s core message must not be lost in the web of past and present atrocities laid bare this week.
Truth and justice are satisfied through Jesus alone. His abuse and death were suffered at the hands of powerful religious leaders who sought to cover their offenses and protect their institutions, at the expense of the people they were meant to serve. And the cross exposes all attempts to hold the reins. It demands an admission of wrongdoing and a willingness to try again – and in doing so receive forgiveness and life, should we accept.
It was, perhaps, for the sake of this gospel that Archbishop Justin resigned. The gospel not only demands justice, but satisfies it. It not only reveals perpetrators, but can redeem them.
We must pray for our leaders and petition on behalf of those who are victims. We must ask tough questions, demanding accountability and inviting wisdom from muted voices. Following Christ, we can, wherever we are, be courageous in the face of injustice. And in doing so, we are bearing witness to all generations of God’s justice and mercy.
Mims Schluter Atkinson
Mims is Culture & Discipleship Project Lead at LICC
I say this with some trepidation, but hopefully the abuse is still rare and the exception. However, being older but not in a position of authority could be mistaken. Am reminded of the Graham Kendrick song (OK giving away my age again) Lord soften my heart, soften my heart, from all indifference set me apart. Once we become indifferent to the many issues affecting our society we are in much deeper trouble also reminded of Matt 23:37-39 and wonder if this is how God feels (not sure am qualified to say this?) also as has been said all organisations are flawed including any church structure so somehow need to point as has been said to our reliance and dependency on the relationship through the Cross and not through the structure of the church? Supporting the victims and looking at preventative measures.
I am deeply saddened and worried about this.
I don’t know – and none of us do – what sort of day he was having when he made this mistake. Perhaps he was overwhelmed by some other issue (he’s had one or two to deal with!) or maybe he just didn’t think it was important (somewhat unlikely in the light of other steps he’s taken regarding safeguarding … but we don’t know).
So the answer (whatever the truth of his actions) is that he is forced to resign because a media storm has decided he is guilty. Is the Gospel of Truth really served by responding to media storms – perhaps now it is.
But, I am now (thankfully) retired but I have been a serving parish priest. Have I made mistakes – certainly. Have I overlooked things that should have been done, certainly. Has the safeguarding team had to chase me up on occasion, yes. Should I have been force out of my home and work … ?
It seems to me that already safeguarding is as much about safeguarding the reputation of the institution as it is about caring for those who have been abused. I fear that that is getting worse and this will further that trend
There is no more important issue for the Gospel and so for the Church than to safeguard the most vulnerable, to hear the voice of those who are abused. to prevent further abuse. This is essential and vital. It’s a no-brainer, 100% the most important thing we do. Without it we have no Good News and our worship is fake. It is of fundamental importance.
But, has Archbishop Justin’s resignation served this?
We have lost a powerful advocate of safeguarding
We will have made everybody in responsibility more defensive
While
There is a sense that something has been achieved … but safeguarding is not an inch further forward
I don’t think he could have stayed, he had to resign. I just don’t think he could have done his job anymore. So Justin has done the right thing, indeed the only thing he could do.
But let’s not pretend that this has achieved anything for safeguarding – it could be just another tragic step backwards.