Evangelicals are reacting to the news that Justin Welby has resigned.
In an unprecedented move, the Archbishop of Canterbury submitted his resignation to the King following an increasing clamour in recent days for him to go after last week's publication of the Makin Review.
An online petition calling on Welby to resign had reached 12,677 signatures by the time his decision to quit was announced this afternoon.
Upon his appointment, many evangelicals hailed him as one of their own, and looked forward to a revitalised and renewed Church of England under his leadership.
However, their excitement quickly turned to disillusionment as the Archbishop appeared to equivocate and then capitulate on same-sex issues. There were also a multiplicity of concerns about safeguarding and some criticisms of his leadership.
After the news of the Archbishop's resignation was announced, Graham Nicholls of evangelical umbrella group Affinity told the BBC 'the pressure was unsustainable' and that Welby had to go.
He had lost the confidence of his church, Nicholls said, and it was an 'appropriate thing' to take responsibility for.
'He didn't move far enough or fast enough,' Nicholls added - stating that Welby had a 'reasonable' degree of knowledge about the abuse years ago. He said there had been a 'sense that the church didn't care about those victims.'
Graham Miller, of the London City Mission, wrote on X: 'Let's pray for the Church in England. Let's pray for victims of abuse Let's pray for Justin Welby and may others follow his example of taking responsibility.
'It is time for repentance, soul searching, restitution throughout the Church in the British Isles It is a time to return to historic commitment to faith in Jesus Christ Jesus brings restoration and reconciliation Jesus brings both gracious hope to the penitent to whom he says, "Your sins are forgiven" but he is holy and righteousness saying, "Go and sin no more".'
Gavin Calver of the Evangelical Alliance also wrote on social media: 'Praying for the Anglican Church following the resignation of Archbishop Justin Welby. Praying too for him & his family. Asking the Lord to heal hurts, right wrongs, bring reconciliation & to raise up the right person to take on this strategic & profoundly challenging role.'
Theology student at Union Theology, Jacob Taylor, wrote on X: 'As the Archbishop of Canterbury resigns, its also time for nonconformists to pray for the whole Church of England, that God's will be done in the CofE, for the victims of abuse, that justice would happen, and for Welby, that he would know God's grace in all this.'
Welby's full resignation statement is as follows:
'Having sought the gracious permission of His Majesty The King, I have decided to resign as Archbishop of Canterbury.
'The Makin Review has exposed the long-maintained conspiracy of silence about the heinous abuses of John Smyth.
'When I was informed in 2013 and told that police had been notified, I believed wrongly that an appropriate resolution would follow.
'It is very clear that I must take personal and institutional responsibility for the long and retraumatising period between 2013 and 2024.
'It is my duty to honour my Constitutional and church responsibilities, so exact timings will be decided once a review of necessary obligations has been completed, including those in England and in the Anglican Communion.
'I hope this decision makes clear how seriously the Church of England understands the need for change and our profound commitment to creating a safer church. As I step down I do so in sorrow with all victims and survivors of abuse.
'The last few days have renewed my long felt and profound sense of shame at the historic safeguarding failures of the Church of England. For nearly twelve years I have struggled to introduce improvements. It is for others to judge what has been done.
'In the meantime, I will follow through on my commitment to meet victims. I will delegate all my other current responsibilities for safeguarding until the necessary risk assessment process is complete.
'I ask everyone to keep my wife Caroline and my children in their prayers. They have been my most important support throughout my ministry, and I am eternally grateful for their sacrifice. Caroline led the spouses’ programme during the Lambeth Conference and has travelled tirelessly in areas of conflict supporting the most vulnerable, the women, and those who care for them locally.
'I believe that stepping aside is in the best interests of the Church of England, which I dearly love and which I have been honoured to serve. I pray that this decision points us back towards the love that Jesus Christ has for every one of us.
'For above all else, my deepest commitment is to the person of Jesus Christ, my saviour and my God; the bearer of the sins and burdens of the world, and the hope of every person.'
