Anglicanism Is in Its Worst Crisis Since Henry VIII

Being the archbishop of Canterbury, the chief cleric of the Church of England, has always been a risky business. Modern incumbents are not likely to be murdered before their own altar, beheaded by Puritans, or burned as a martyr. But being the leader of 85 million believers in the world’s third-largest Christian group—the Anglican Communion—is still a tricky and frustrating job, as Justin Welby, who just resigned on Nov. 12, knows too well.

Welby’s resignation was prompted by a recently concluded review into the Church of England’s actions over its worst known abuser, John Smyth.