Well, he could have done, but now he\u2019s dug his heels in, the course is set; the trajectory is fixed, because the eminent historians, theologians and other vocal defenders of George Bell also have no intention of backing down, which is why Justin Welby\u2019s statement is quite possibly the most bungling and inept piece of PR to have been issued by Lambeth Palace since he was installed as Archbishop in 2013. Honestly, where do they think this now goes?<\/p>\n
BBC<\/a> How does Lambeth Palace think this will end? The issue isn\u2019t just going to hang around like a bad smell: it\u2019s going to hinder and detract from Archbishop Justin\u2019s entire episcopal ministry; it\u2019s going to bind and frustrate every utterance he makes on the themes of integrity, truth and justice.<\/p>\n On the one hand is an Archbishop who cannot with integrity rescind his statement, and on the other is a growing army of very eminent lawyers, historians, theologians and crusaders for truth who cannot with integrity cease their campaign for\u00a0Justice for George Bell<\/a>. And this is a battle which the Archbishop will certainly lose \u2013 perhaps not while in office (so over the next three years), but either five or 15 years from now, or even 20 years after his death \u2013 because that army of eminent lawyers, historians, theologians and crusaders for truth will enlist another battalion, and if necessary another battalion after that, because people care more about the late, great George Bell than they probably ever will about Justin Welby.<\/p>\n That\u2019s harsh, but it\u2019s true. It\u2019s true because the man who perpetuates an injustice is never going to be judged favourably by historians, lawyers, theologians or crusaders for truth (especially those who despise the Church of England), so you can be sure \u2013 absolutely sure \u2013 that some time in the future one of Justin Welby\u2019s successors to the See of Canterbury will find it expedient to sacrifice Archbishop Justin\u2019s reputation as swiftly as the Church of England trashed that of Bishop George Bell.<\/p>\n
\nGuardian<\/em><\/a>
\nTelegraph<\/em><\/a>
\nDaily Mail<\/em><\/a>
\nMail Online<\/a>
\nChurch Times<\/em><\/a>
\nPremier<\/a><\/p>\n