Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby resigns amid abuse scandal

LONDON — Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, the spiritual leader of the global Anglican church, resigned Tuesday after an investigation found that he failed to promptly report serial physical and sexual abuse by a volunteer at Christian summer camps.

Welby said in a statement that he was stepping down “in sorrow” and “having sought the gracious permission of His Majesty The King.”

He had faced mounting calls to resign since the report was published last Thursday.

A petition calling for his resignation created by members of the national assembly of the Church of England, the General Synod, had reached over 13,000 signatures at the time of his announcement on Tuesday.

This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.