The Children’s Society were wrong to cancel Welby - but I understand why they did

Refusing a donation from the Archbishop of Canterbury makes sense in our ’cancel culture’ society, says Miriam Cates. And until the CofE starts putting people above process, the problems will remain

The abuse of children is quite possibly the worst crime imaginable. Revelations about the Church of England’s failure to prevent child abuse within its ranks have therefore understandably shocked the nation and rocked the institution of the Church. 

The scandal surrounding the mishandling of the John Smyth affair has already led to the resignation of Most Rev Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury. The fallout over a failure to sack David Tudor may yet ensure the same fate for Most Rev Stephen Cottrell, Archbishop of York. 

There is no suggestion whatsoever that Welby or Cottrell are in any direct way responsible for the abuse, yet their failure to take appropriate action against known abusers is having wide repercussions.