The Story cover image

The Story

Inside the scandal that brought down the Archbishop of Canterbury

Nov 14, 2024
Kaya Burgess, Religious Affairs Correspondent at The Times, dives deep into the scandal surrounding the resignation of the Archbishop of Canterbury. She reveals the shocking mishandling of abuse allegations against notorious child abuser John Smythe. What did the Archbishop know, and how did his leadership choices contribute to this crisis? Kaya sheds light on the church's struggle for accountability and the impact on victims seeking justice. The conversation also explores the future of the Anglican Church in the wake of this scandal.
26:19

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • The resignation of Archbishop Justin Welby underscores the urgent need for accountability within the Church of England regarding historical abuse allegations.
  • The scandal highlights deep-rooted institutional failures in safeguarding practices and the necessity for reform and independent oversight to protect vulnerable individuals.

Deep dives

Archbishop Welby's Resignation Amidst Scandal

The resignation of the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, marks a significant moment in the Church of England's history, as it follows a lengthy controversy surrounding the handling of abuse allegations against John Smythe, a notorious child abuser. The Archbishop acknowledged that he must take personal and institutional responsibility for the church's failures during his tenure, especially relating to the mishandling of allegations dating back several decades. Critics argue that the church's inability to address these issues undermines its moral authority, making it difficult for the institution to navigate its responsibilities in the modern context. Welby's resignation was seen as an acknowledgment of these failures and the need for accountability within the church's hierarchy.

Get the Snipd
podcast app

Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
App store bannerPlay store banner

AI-powered
podcast player

Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features

Discover
highlights

Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode

Save any
moment

Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways

Share
& Export

Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more

AI-powered
podcast player

Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features

Discover
highlights

Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode