Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell has expressed that he is “profoundly remorseful that we could not initiate action sooner” regarding a sexual abuse incident.
Mr. Cottrell is set to assume the responsibilities of the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, who will resign on 6 January due to deficiencies in managing a separate sexual abuse situation within the church.
Nevertheless, his role has been questioned following a BBC inquiry that has led to calls for his resignation.
The investigation alleged that during Mr. Cottrell’s tenure as Bishop of Chelmsford, he permitted priest David Tudor to maintain his position within the diocese while being aware that Tudor had been prohibited by the Church from being alone with minors and had compensated a victim of sexual abuse.
In a statement released on Monday, Mr. Cottrell asserted that he “responded promptly” within his authority regarding the matter.
He described the circumstances he encountered as Bishop of Chelmsford as “horrific and unacceptable,” after being fully briefed on the situation.
He remarked: “The news coverage this morning inaccurately suggests that no actions were taken until 2024, which is not accurate.
“While serving as Bishop of Chelmsford, I suspended David Tudor from office as soon as a new victim approached the police in 2019.
“Up until 2019, there were no lawful grounds to pursue alternative actions.
“When I started in the Chelmsford diocese in 2010, I collaborated closely with its highly skilled safeguarding team to manage the risk involved.
“However, removing David Tudor from his position was not feasible until new complaints emerged, which occurred when a victim courageously reported to the police.
“Upon this revelation in 2019, I took immediate action. I suspended David Tudor from all ministry roles pending the investigation and subsequent tribunal proceedings that led to his removal from office and a lifetime prohibition from ministry.”
The Church of England noted that the BBC documentary revealed a “series of past safeguarding decisions that permitted an individual deemed a risk in the 1980s to re-enter ministry in the 1990s.”
“This should never have transpired,” it stated.
Bishop of Newcastle Helen-Ann Hartley expressed that it is “impractical” for Mr. Cottrell to retain his position or lead the Church.
In an interview on BBC Radio 4’s Today program, she stated: “Personally, I believe the evidence presented to us renders it untenable for Stephen Cottrell to be the individual we can trust to effect the necessary changes.”
She added that he would lack the “credibility or moral authority” to guide the Church and remarked that there remains “a significant aspect” of a boys’ club mentality within the organization.
Dr. Hartley was the sole bishop to publicly advocate for Mr. Welby’s resignation after the Makin Review scrutinized the handling of allegations against notorious abuser John Smyth.
Mr. Welby announced his resignation last month, despite initially declining to do so.
The report indicated that Smyth, the most prolific serial abuser linked to the Church, could have faced justice had Mr. Welby reported him to the authorities in 2013.
