She told BBC Radio: “I think, sadly, his position is untenable. So I think he should resign.”

Giles Fraser, a vicar and regular newspaper columnist, also told the BBC: “I think it seems increasingly unlikely that the archbishop of Canterbury can survive in post, given the growing chorus of calls for his resignation from amongst his own clergy.”

But others have warned against treating Welby as a “scapegoat”, noting that some church officials knew much more than Welby did about Smyth’s abuse for decades and covered it up.

Welby, a close friend of King Charles, is a leading voice on social issues in British society. He has been a prominent critic of short-term lenders, an advocate for action on climate change and previously slammed the “cruelty” of the then-Conservative government’s asylum policy.

In a statement, Welby said he was “deeply sorry that this abuse happened” and “sorry that concealment by many people who were fully aware of the abuse over many years meant that John Smyth was able to abuse overseas and died before he ever faced justice”.

If you or anyone you know needs support, you can contact the National Sexual Assault, Domestic and Family Violence Counselling Service on 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732), Lifeline 131 114, or Beyond Blue 1300 224 636.

Get a note directly from our foreign correspondents on what’s making headlines around the world. Sign up for the weekly What in the World newsletter here.