The Church of England is once again embroiled in scandal as Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell faces mounting calls to resign over his handling of a sex abuse case. The criticism follows a BBC investigation that revealed Cottrell, during his tenure as Bishop of Chelmsford, allowed a priest accused of sexual abuse to remain in ministry despite serious concerns.
This latest controversy comes just weeks before Cottrell is set to assume many of the outgoing Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby’s duties. Welby himself is stepping down in January following criticism over his handling of another abuse case.
A Failure to Act
The case centers on David Tudor, a priest banned from ministry for life in October after admitting to sexually abusing two teenage girls in the 1980s. The investigation revealed that Stephen Cottrell, who became Bishop of Chelmsford in 2010, was informed of Tudor’s troubling past, including a compensation payment made to another alleged victim. Despite this, Tudor continued in his role until 2019, when fresh complaints led to his suspension.
A spokesperson for Cottrell described the situation as “highly unsatisfactory and problematic” and claimed the Archbishop had been in an “invidious situation” for years. Critics argue that Cottrell’s failure to act sooner exposed children and young people to unnecessary risk.
Survivors and Bishops Speak Out
One survivor who received compensation from Tudor has called for Cottrell to resign, stating, “If he didn’t act on what he knew, he should leave the Church.”
The Bishop of Newcastle, Helen-Ann Hartley, has also joined the calls for his resignation, asserting that it is “impossible” for Cottrell to retain his position with credibility or moral authority. Speaking to BBC Radio 4’s Today Programme, Hartley said, “The evidence before us makes it impossible for Stephen Cottrell to be the person in whom we have confidence and trust to drive the change that is needed.”
Hartley further criticized what she described as the enduring “boys’ club” culture within the Church of England’s leadership, claiming senior bishops often “look the other way” or remain silent on such matters.
A Church in Crisis
This scandal follows the resignation of Justin Welby, who announced his departure in the wake of the Makin Review. The report exposed the Church’s failure to hold serial abuser John Smyth accountable, a lapse critics say could have prevented further harm.
The Church of England has acknowledged “a catalogue of past safeguarding decisions” that allowed Tudor to remain in ministry despite clear risks. “This should never have happened,” the Church said in a statement, adding that it is committed to learning lessons from these failures.
Eroding Trust in Leadership
Stephen Cottrell’s credibility as a moral leader has been severely damaged, with doubts about his ability to lead the Church through this turbulent period. As he prepares to temporarily assume Welby’s responsibilities, many are questioning whether the Church can afford to place its future in the hands of a leader so deeply implicated in safeguarding failures.
The controversy underscores a broader crisis of trust within the Church of England. Survivors, clergy, and laypeople are demanding accountability and systemic change to address the culture of secrecy and negligence that has allowed abuse to fester.
As calls for Cottrell’s resignation grow louder, the Church faces a defining moment: Will it prioritize transparency and justice, or will it continue to shield its leaders from scrutiny? The future of its moral authority—and the safety of its congregation—hangs in the balance.