Former Archbishop of Canterbury George Carey has resigned from his clerical duties following a BBC investigation into the Church of England’s management of a sexual abuse case.
The 89-year-old’s decision to step down came after the BBC approached him regarding claims that he permitted a priest, previously barred over sexual abuse allegations, to resume ministry.
In his resignation letter dated 4 December, Lord Carey expressed that it had been an “honour to serve” since his ordination in 1962.
A spokesperson confirmed that his resignation was a direct result of the investigation.
Earlier this month, Lord Carey was implicated in an inquiry concerning David Tudor, a disgraced priest who had been prohibited by the Church from being alone with children and had compensated a sexual abuse victim.
In 1989, Tudor faced a Church tribunal that banned him from ministry due to sexual misconduct.
However, five years later, during Lord Carey’s tenure as Archbishop of Canterbury, he approved Tudor’s return to ministry under supervision, albeit “with some trepidation,” according to the Church.
Lord Carey informed the investigation that he did not recall Tudor’s name.
Two months ago, Tudor was removed from his position after admitting to historical sexual abuse allegations involving two girls.
In his resignation letter, Lord Carey stated: “I wish to surrender my Permission to Officiate. 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. 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.”
Lord Carey served as the Archbishop of Canterbury from 1991 to 2002.
The BBC’s investigation also revealed that Stephen Cottrell, the Archbishop of York, allowed Tudor to remain in his position despite being aware of his case.
Mr. Cottrell, who is set to assume leadership of the Church of England following the resignation of Archbishop Justin Welby, has faced calls to resign but has declined to do so.
He expressed being “deeply sorry” for the lack of earlier action, stating that he had “inherited” the situation and that there were no legal grounds for alternative measures.
Archbishop Welby resigned last month over his handling of a separate sexual abuse case.
