Archbishop of York faces calls to resign over latest Church of England abuse scandal
[Episcopal News Service] A month after Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby said he would resign over his handling of a sprawling abuse scandal in the church, Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell is also facing calls to step down over a separate, unrelated abuse case.
Cottrell, who is expected soon to take over temporary leadership of the Church of England when Welby departs on Jan. 6, is accused of allowing a priest to remain in his post despite the priest being accused of sexual abuse involving two girls, according to a BBC investigation.
The priest, the Rev. David Tudor, was banned from ministry two months ago after admitting to the abuse, according to the BBC. Cottrell said in a written statement that he could not have taken action against Tudor sooner, for which he was “deeply sorry.”
“It is extremely disappointing that this story is being reported as if it was an abuser being ignored or even protected,” Cottrell said. “Actually, nothing could be further from the truth. And to present it this way only re-traumatizes already hurt people.”
Newcastle Bishop Helen-Ann Harley is among those calling for Cottrell to resign. “It completely undermines his credibility that this case was not acted on,” she told the BBC.
On Nov. 12, Welby announced he would resign under pressure for his delayed response to extensive and devastating allegations of “physical, sexual, psychological and spiritual attacks” by a British lawyer on young victims he met at youth camps tied to the Church of England.
The archbishop of Canterbury, in addition to serving as the head of the Church of England, also historically has filled the role of a “focus for unity” in the wider Anglican Communion and its 42 autonomous, interdependent provinces, including The Episcopal Church.
