The Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell, delivered a poignant Christmas Day sermon, emphasizing the Church's need to address its shortcomings and kneel in penitence. At a time when the Church of England is facing intense scrutiny over its handling of sexual abuse scandals, Cottrell called for meaningful action over mere words.
With the Church embroiled in controversy, the stage was set for Cottrell to speak at York Minster, assuming the role of temporary leader as Justin Welby steps down. His sermon arrives at a tumultuous moment, where discussions about accountability and transparency have become unavoidable. Recent revelations spotlighted past decisions, including Cottrell's own reappointments within the church hierarchy, which critics deemed problematic.
“Right now, this Christmas, God’s Church itself needs to come again to the manger and strip off her finery and kneel in penitence and adoration,” Cottrell urged the congregation. His call to action is not just about recognizing wrongs but also about transforming the Church to prioritize the needs of the vulnerable, especially the victims of abuse.
Earlier this week, it emerged Cottrell acknowledged things “could have been handled differently” concerning the reappointment of David Tudor, who faced allegations of sexual abuse. Tudor has been described as “insulting and upsetting” to victims, and the fallout has put Cottrell's leadership under the microscope, with calls for his resignation echoing through the Church.
Despite these challenges, Cottrell remained resolute, centering his Christmas message around the story of Jesus, highlighting the vulnerability represented by the child born on Christmas Day. “At the centre of the Christmas story is a tiny, vulnerable child; a child whose existence is threatened, demonstrating the power of love,” he stated.
This sentiment was echoed by other church leaders. While Bishop of Leeds Nicholas Baines remarked, “Part of me wants to say, ‘what’s new?’ because the Church always has to kneel in penitence,” Bishop of Gloucester Rachel Treweek chose to withhold her support for Cottrell, stating concerns for his credibility. The calls for accountability extended beyond Cottrell, as many questioned the Church's historic handling of abuse cases.
During the sermon, Cottrell referenced the famous musical My Fair Lady, drawing parallels to disappointment felt by victims of unfulfilled promises and the importance of action. “Don’t just talk about justice, don’t just talk about service, don’t just talk about love. Show me,” Cottrell insisted, reinforcing the message of demonstrating love through deeds.
With Welby absent from the public eye this Christmas, attention shifted to Cottrell’s words and how they might resonate with the broader issues facing the Church. Cottrell’s insistence on prioritizing the needs of those who are cold, hungry, or fleeing oppression struck at the heart of Christmas, which is traditionally viewed as a time of giving and compassion.
Bishop of Dover Rose Hudson-Wilkin, meanwhile, prepared to deliver her own sermon at Canterbury Cathedral, focusing on the themes of hope and light over darkness. Drawing connections to current global strife, she planned to speak about the Christmas story's relevance to those suffering from violence, war, and climate change.
“The story of Christmas is today’s story—still costly, continuing to reflect vulnerability and the pain of rejection,” Hudson-Wilkin stated. This shared narrative of struggle and aspiration seems to reflect the sentiments of many church leaders intent on seeking redemption for past failures.
Bishop of Oxford Steven Croft also spoke about this challenging year, touching upon institutional crises of confidence. He emphasized the necessity for reflection and progress: “We need to pause and take stock at Christmas time. Underneath all of these crises and difficulties, we find a simple question: What does it mean to be human, to live well, to build a good society?”
The backdrop of Cottrell’s sermon is the upcoming vacancy for the Archbishops of Canterbury, which is not expected to be resolved until fall 2025. With Welby resigning amid controversy following the Makin Review—pointing to significant failures to report historic cases of abuse—the Church finds itself at a crossroads. Cottrell's urgent call for change and need for the Church to kneel 'in penitence and adoration' resonates with many yearning for accountability and genuine transformation.
This Christmas, as sermons echo across the Church of England, Cottrell's heartfelt words and call to action highlight not only the Church's failings but also its potential for renewal during this reflective season.
