Welby and the C of E.

Welby was right to resign as Archbishop. Nobody could possibly support his earlier decision to stay on or believe his assertions he did not know years ago exactly what Smyth was up to and what went on in those youth camps when he, Welby, was present.

Unfortunately this latest drama in the public life of our creaking establishment follows a familiar theme. Gross injustice or abuse, denial, prioritise reputational damage over truth. Lack of timely support for victims.

Then a long winded public enquiry so that   ‘nothing like it ever never happens again.’

But of course it does. Again. And again. All the Christian churches have a serious, significant and ongoing problem with both historical and current abuse. It spills over into their public schools and into their affiliated charities and institutions. The Roman Catholics are as bad if not worse.

It is perhaps a very good moment to detach the Church of England from the State. It has abused its privileged status once too often. We now live in a modern world with a different set of values. Care, love and responsibility trump reputational damage every time. There is a new faith too. Faith in truth above lies.