Former Archbishop of Canterbury George Carey has stepped down from priesthood following criticism of his handling of child abuse cases.
According to the AFP, the 89-year-old, who has been in ministry since 1962, announced his resignation in a letter dated December 4, 2024.
Carey faced allegations of supporting David Tudor, a priest banned in the 1980s for assaulting teenage girls. According to a BBC investigation, Carey allowed Tudor to return to ministry under supervision despite the allegations.
Tudor, who admitted to sexual misconduct in October, was recently dismissed from his priestly duties.
In his resignation letter, Carey acknowledged the controversy and reflected on his long career in the church. “I wish to surrender my Permission to Officiate,” he wrote.
“I am in my ninetieth year now and have been in active ministry since 1962 when I was made Deacon and then Priested in 1963. It has been an honour to serve in the dioceses of London, Southwell, Durham, Bristol, Bath and Wells, Canterbury, and finally Oxford.”
Carey also expressed gratitude for his wife, Eileen. “I give thanks to God for His enduring faithfulness but want to recognise the remarkable contribution of Eileen, whose faithfulness and support has been outstanding,” he added.
The resignation follows recent scrutiny of church leadership in addressing abuse cases. Current Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby resigned in November over criticism of his handling of separate sexual abuse claims.
The Church of England has faced increasing pressure to address past failures in dealing with abuse allegations and to implement stricter safeguarding measures.
