Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell, is currently facing pressure to resign in light of his handling of a s3xual abuse case.
Gatekeepers News reports that this situation arises just days before he is set to temporarily lead the Church of England.
As the former Bishop of Chelmsford, Cottrell allowed priest David Tudor to continue serving in the diocese despite being aware that Tudor had been barred by the Church from being alone with children due to previous allegations. Tudor had also paid compensation to a victim of s3xual abuse, as revealed by a BBC investigation.
A representative for Cottrell stated that he was in a challenging position and lacked the legal authority to dismiss Tudor, who was only removed from ministry two months ago after acknowledging historical s3x abuse allegations involving two girls.
Criticism has emerged from the Bishop of Newcastle, the Rt Rev Helen-Ann Hartley, who asserts that Cottrell could have taken stronger action regarding the case and suggested that he should consider resignation.
Additionally, a woman who received £10,000 in compensation from Tudor for claims of abuse during her childhood, expressed her belief that Cottrell’s inaction in light of the compensation payment warrants his departure from the Church. She remarked on the personal impact of the situation, claiming Cottrell’s response felt like a betrayal.
These calls for Cottrell’s resignation followed a report that exposed extensive cover-ups of abuse by barrister John Smyth, which ultimately led to the resignation of the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby.
Cottrell is expected to assume Welby’s role temporarily for a few months starting in the New Year. Both Welby and former Archbishop George Carey were involved in the Tudor case at various points, with Welby being aware of the situation in 2018 and Carey being associated with it in 1993.
