Lord Carey announced his resignation in a letter dated December 4, 2024, as he approaches his 90th birthday, having been in active ministry since 1962.

His resignation was prompted by allegations that he allowed David Tudor, a banned priest with a history of abuse, to return to ministry.

Tudor had been permanently banned from ministry in October 2024 after admitting to sexual relationships with two teenage girls in the 1980s.

Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell, who will take over as the Church of England's spiritual leader in January 2025, is also facing calls to resign due to his handling of Tudor's case.

The Church of England has acknowledged that its procedures regarding abuse cases were inadequate and not focused on survivors' needs, signaling a shift in future case management.

As the spiritual leader of the global Anglican Communion, which includes 85 million members across 165 countries, the Archbishop of Canterbury faces internal divisions on issues such as LGBTQ+ rights and women's roles.

Justin Welby, the current Archbishop of Canterbury, resigned in November 2024 over his management of separate sexual abuse allegations.

A spokesman for Lord Carey has not commented on the ongoing BBC investigation related to these allegations.

In his resignation, Carey expressed gratitude for his ministry across various dioceses, including London, Southwell, and Canterbury.

During his tenure as Archbishop from 1991 to 2002, Carey officiated significant events, including Princess Diana's funeral and was the first archbishop to ordain women to the priesthood.

Cottrell has expressed regret for not addressing the Tudor situation sooner, stating he inherited unresolved issues and lacked legal grounds for action.

The Church of England remains a significant part of the global Anglican Communion, facing ongoing challenges and divisions.