The archbishop of Canterbury has apologised for saying there was a \u201csignificant cloud\u201d over the name of one of the most venerated figures in the Church of England who was accused of sexual abuse.<\/p>\n
In a move that may end a protracted and acrimonious battle within the C of E over the reputation of George Bell, a bishop of Chichester and a leading 20th-century figure, Justin Welby issued a personal statement admitting his earlier position had been wrong.<\/p>\n
In a remarkable volte-face, Welby said a statue commemorating Bell as \u201cone of the most courageous, distinguished Anglican bishops of the past century\u201d would be erected at Canterbury Cathedral.<\/p>\n
In 2015, 57 years after Bell\u2019s death, the C of E paid compensation and issued a formal apology to a woman who alleged that Bell had sexually abused her when she was a child.<\/p>\n
Read it all<\/a>.<\/p>\n Justin Welby admits he was wrong to say there was a cloud over George Bell https:\/\/t.co\/BnluNJ9Vtk<\/a><\/p>\n — Guardian news (@guardiannews) November 17, 2021<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n \n