Justin Welby: The Man Who Walked Away from the Church

In a move that shocked the world, Justin Welby, the Archbishop of Canterbury, announced his resignation. This decision came after a tumultuous few years for Welby, who has faced mounting pressure to step down over his handling of a child sex abuse scandal.
Welby's resignation is a major blow to the Church of England, which is already struggling with declining membership and a growing number of scandals. It is also a personal blow to Welby, who has been a controversial figure throughout his time as Archbishop.
Some have praised Welby for his outspoken views on social justice and his commitment to interfaith dialogue. Others have criticized him for his handling of the sex abuse scandal and his support for same-sex marriage.
Regardless of one's opinion of Welby, there is no doubt that he is a complex and fascinating figure. His resignation is a reminder of the challenges facing the Church of England and the importance of holding those in power accountable.
The Early Years
Justin Welby was born in London in 1956. He is the son of Gavin Welby, a businessman, and Jane Gillian Portal, a daughter of the 1st Viscount Portal of Hungerford. Welby was educated at Eton College and Trinity College, Cambridge, where he studied history and theology.
After graduating from Cambridge, Welby worked as a management consultant before being ordained as a priest in the Church of England in 1983. He served as a curate in Romsey, Hampshire, and then as rector of St James's Church, Dunchurch, Warwickshire.
In 1993, Welby was consecrated Bishop of Southwell andNottingham. In 2007, he was appointed Dean of Liverpool, and in 2011, he became Bishop of Durham.
Archbishop of Canterbury
In 2012, Welby was elected Archbishop of Canterbury, the spiritual leader of the Anglican Communion. He is the 105th person to hold the position.
Welby's time as Archbishop has been marked by a number of controversies. In 2013, he apologized for the Church of England's past support for slavery. In 2016, he apologized for the Church's response to the sex abuse scandal.
Welby has also been a vocal critic of the British government's austerity policies. In 2015, he said that the government's cuts were "destroying communities and lives."
Resignation
In 2023, Welby announced his resignation as Archbishop of Canterbury. He said that he was stepping down to focus on his personal life and to give the Church of England a chance to move forward.
Welby's resignation is a major blow to the Church of England. He is a popular figure and his departure will leave a big hole in the Church's leadership.
It is unclear what the future holds for Welby. He has said that he plans to continue to work for the Church of England in some capacity, but he has not yet announced any specific plans.