The Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby resigned on Tuesday, saying he stepped down "in sorrow" after failing to ensure there was a proper investigation into allegations of abuse by a volunteer at Christian summer camps decades ago.
Welby, the spiritual leader of 85 million Anglicans worldwide, had faced calls to resign after a report last week found he had taken insufficient action to stop a person it described as arguably the Church of England's most prolific serial abuser.
"Having sought the gracious permission of His Majesty The King, I have decided to resign as Archbishop of Canterbury," Welby said in a statement.
"I hope this decision makes clear how seriously the Church of England understands the need for change and our profound commitment to creating a safer church. As I step down I do so in sorrow with all victims and survivors of abuse."