Why Former Archbishop of Canterbury, George Carey, Resigned from Priesthood

Ex-Archbishop of Canterbury, George Carey, has quit the priesthood, Neusroom gathers.

The announcement follows allegations of Carey’s failure to adequately handle child abuse cases.

Findings revealed that Carey had vouched for David Tudor to return to the priesthood.

Tudor, a priest accused of assaulting teenage girls under Carey’s supervision, had been banned for five years by the Church in the 1980s over the assault allegations. However, he was reinstated following Carey’s intervention.

In October, Tudor admitted guilt in the sexual abuse allegations and was subsequently expelled from the Church.

Carey has served in the priesthood since 1962.

In his letter of resignation, dated December 4, the clergyman praised his wife, Eileen, for her unwavering support throughout his ministry.

“I wish to surrender my Permission to Officiate,” Carey began.

“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 [his wife], whose faithfulness and support has been outstanding,” he said.

It is worth recalling that the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, resigned earlier in November over his handling of sexual abuse cases.

Stephen Cottrell, the Archbishop of York and the second most senior bishop in the Church of England, will step in temporarily while a new leader is chosen.