The Church 'is not a safe institution'

Bishop: Welby's exit won't end abuse

- TOM PETTIFOR

THE Church of England is "not a safe institution" and it cannot be guaranteed that abuse has been stamped out, a bishop has said.

Julie Conalty, the deputy lead for safeguarding, was speaking after the Archbishop of Canterbury quit over a church cover-up that allowed a child abuser to continue his cruel attacks.

Justin Welby, 68, told of his "sorrow" for the victims and "a profound sense of shame after John Smyth beat and abused boys at Christian camps.

A report found that if Mr Welby had told police about the abuse, the sadistic attacker could have faced justice before he died in 2018, aged 75.