The Archbishop of Canterbury has suggested that the Duke of York “seeks redress” while encouraging society to be more “open and lenient” in general.
Prince Andrew left public life after fury over his friendship with Jeffrey Epstein, a convicted sex offender, and earlier this year paid millions to a woman he claimed he had never met to solve a sexual assault case. civil.
She was expelled from the workers’ monarchy and no longer uses her RHS style after Virginia Giuffre, who was trafficked by Epstein, accused her of sexually assaulting her when she was 17 years old. The duke denied the allegations.
Justin Welby, in an interview with ITV News on Tuesday, asked people to “take a step back” and said the queen’s second child was trying to repair himself, adding: “I think that’s very good “.
He stressed that he could not tell people how to respond, saying that “past problems in the field of abuse are so intensely personal and private for many” and “it is not uncommon for there to be very deep feelings”.
Asked how the public should respond to Andrew after his appearance at the Duke of Edinburgh’s memorial service in March, Welby, 66, said: “On a great public occasion, the Queen has every right to have a of his children supporting him.Secondly, forgiveness really matters.I think we have become a very, very relentless society.There is a difference between consequences and forgiveness.
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“I think for all of us, one of the ways we celebrate when we come together is to learn to be a more open and forgiving society.”
A spokesman for the Archbishop of Canterbury later clarified that he was not referring specifically to the Duke of York when he said we need to become a more lenient society and “was making a broader point about the kind of society that he hopes that the platinum jubilee will inspire us. ” to be”.
A statement from Welby said: “In tonight’s interview with ITV News I was asked a question about forgiveness and I said that there is a difference between consequences and forgiveness. Both are essential elements of understanding. Christian of justice, mercy, and reconciliation.
“I also said the broader point that I hope we can become a more lenient society. These are complex issues that are difficult to address in a brief media interview and I hope they do not distract from this week’s joyous jubilee celebration. of platinum of Her Majesty the Queen “.
The archbishop no longer delivers the sermon in the service of the platinum jubilee of thanksgiving at St. Paul’s Cathedral on Friday after he tested positive for Covid-19.
Stephen Cottrell, Archbishop of York, will take his place.