The leader of the Anglican Church resigns following a report on child abuse.

Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, the highest leader of the Church of England, has resigned following the investigation into child abuse in Christian camps. This was reported by CNN.

"With the gracious permission of His Majesty the King, I have decided to resign from the position of Archbishop of Canterbury. In leaving this role, I do so in sorrow alongside all the victims and survivors of abuse," Welby stated in his announcement.

It is noted that he was urged to resign after the release of a report which indicated that the archbishop did not take adequate measures to punish John Smith—a British lawyer who led Christian summer camps for children in Dorset County. Welby also worked there prior to his ordination.

Smith is accused of having abused children in the camps since the 1970s. The report claims that more than 100 boys and adolescents suffered from beatings and corruption over a period of 40 years.

In his resignation statement, Welby acknowledged that he must "take personal and institutional responsibility" for the lack of action regarding these "horrific abuses."

Within the church community, it is said that this is the first instance in history where an Anglican archbishop has resigned due to a violence scandal.