George Carey, who served as the Archbishop of Canterbury from 1991 to 2002, has stepped down from his role as a priest following allegations that he mishandled a case involving a clergyman accused of sexual misconduct.
Carey’s resignation came to light after a BBC investigation revealed that in 1994, he supported reinstating priest David Tudor, who had been suspended for five years over allegations of assaulting teenage girls. Documents reportedly show Carey’s advocacy for Tudor’s return to active ministry despite the prior allegations.
In his resignation letter, dated December 4, Carey did not address the BBC’s findings but cited his age and years of service. “I wish to surrender my Permission to Officiate. I am in my ninetieth year now and have been in active ministry since 1962… It has been an honour to serve,” he wrote.
Carey’s tenure as Archbishop of Canterbury included leadership across multiple dioceses, but this latest controversy has sparked renewed scrutiny over his actions during his time in office.
