"While deeply saddened that Justin Welby’s time as Archbishop of Canterbury should end in this way, I am also mindful that our words about putting victims and survivors of abuse first have to be more than rhetoric.
"I have heard in recent days that the Safe Spaces scheme (independent support for victims and survivors of abuse in a church context) have been inundated with calls since the Makin review was published. This is a tragedy beyond description.
"There is very little that I can say or do to take away the pain for such people. This is a time for bishops to listen and learn, and to recommit ourselves to working with colleagues in the National Safeguarding Team, in our own Diocesan Safeguarding Teams, and with the hundreds of Parish Safeguarding Coordinators to ensure that nothing like this can ever happen again.
"This is a moment of deep humbling for the Church of England - our brokenness is on display for all the world to see - I can only hope that this will lead to real change."
+ Martyn
Bishop of Leicester