Prince Andrew Is Trying to Make Amends and the Public Should Be More Forgiving, British Archbishop Says
Britain’s most senior church, Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury, sparked outrage in Britain after he appeared to suggest in an interview that Prince Andrewwho recently dealt with a multi-million dollar sexual abuse case, should be free from public criticism and people should be open to pardoning him according to Christian principles.
In an unusual interview just days before the start of the queen’s platinum jubilee celebrations, Welby, who has contracted the coronavirus and will miss Mass at an important church service on Friday, initially said he wouldn’t comment on the specifics of Andrew’s case—but then allowed himself to get caught up in just doing it.
In the interview with Tom Bradby on ITVBradby asked the bishop if it was appropriate for Queen Elizabeth to be escorted to her seat by Andrew as she attended a memorial service for her late husband.
Welby, 66, said: ‘On such a big public occasion, the queen has every right to have one of her children support her. Second, forgiveness is really important. I think we have become a very, very unforgiving society. There is a difference between consequences and forgiveness. “
Bradby pointed out that there was a lot of anger towards Andrew because of his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein, but Welby replied: “With Prince Andrew, I think we all have to step back a bit. He’s looking to make amends and I think that’s a very good thing.”
Welby did not give any examples of Andrew seeking to make amends or explain why he believes this is the case.
On February 15, Andrew entered an out-of-court settlement with Virginia Giuffre, a victim of the disgraced US financier who accused the royal family of raping her three times when she was 17. up to $14 million, with suggestions that the monarch partially supported the bill.
Welby went on to say that he does not intend to instruct people on how to react, and said that “past problems in the area of abuse are personal and private to a lot of people,” adding, “There is no What a surprise when there are really deep emotions. ”
However, he then seems to refer to Andrew again when he says: “I think for all of us, one of the ways we celebrate when we come together is by learning how to be. into a more open and forgiving society.”
The archbishop’s spokesman was later forced to issue a statement saying he was not specifically referring to the Duke of York in making his remarks about being “a more forgiving society” but was offers “a broader perspective on the kind of society he hopes the Platinum Jubilee will inspire us.”
Welby himself later issued an additional statement: “In this evening’s interview with ITV News, I was asked a question about forgiveness, and I said there is a difference between consequence and forgiveness. forgive. Both are essential elements to the Christian understanding of justice, mercy, and reconciliation.
“I also made it more clear that I hope we can become a more altruistic society. These are complex issues that are difficult to solve in a short media interview, and I hope they don’t distract from the joyful celebration of the queen’s platinum anniversary week. ”
