The Most Rev Justin Welby was giving evidence to the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA) investigation into the Church of England on Thursday.
He has featured heavily in evidence over the last nine days as the head of the Anglican Church and has faced accusations of failing to sanction bishops accused of committing or failing to report child sexual abuse.
One survivor, Rev Matthew Ineson, previously criticised Mr Welby and the Archbishop of York Dr John Sentamu for failing to act after he disclosed being abused as a teenager by a priest.
Mr Ineson told the inquiry: “I cannot see the face of Jesus in the Archbishop of Canterbury or York.
“The Archbishop of Canterbury consistently takes no further action and, to me, therefore, condones all these actions.”
Speaking on Thursday, Mr Welby said that although he was the head of the Church of England, he had no direct power but “influence” over the other bishops.
“It is hard to say where influence moves into power and control, I have the power to suspend,” he said.
Fiona Scolding QC, counsel for the inquiry, asked the archbishop to explain why all but six safeguarding complaints against bishops were dismissed or had no action taken last year.
After he was asked if bishops got an “easy ride”, Mr Welby replied: “My honest answer is I don’t believe so, but I would say that, wouldn’t I.
“I am not likely to…
… Read More
—
Click Read More to read the rest of the story from our content source/partners – Premier Christianity News.