The Church of England finds itself engulfed in controversy as calls for resignation reverberate through its senior ranks due to mishandled abuse cases. The latest wave of discontent centers on Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell, who is set to take temporary charge following Justin Welby's resignation, sparked by allegations of his failure to address sexual misconduct effectively.
According to the BBC, Archbishop Cottrell allowed Reverend Trevor Devamanikkam to remain in his clerical position even though he had been barred from unsupervised contact with children and had previously compensated his accuser. This frightening oversight has led critics to argue whether Cottrell possesses the necessary credibility to lead the Church of England, especially after the recent resignation of Archbishop Welby over similar safeguarding concerns.
Welby's departure, which occurred in November, followed public outrage stemming from findings of his inadequate responses to claims involving prolific child abuser John Smyth. Critics have now turned their attention to Cottrell, questioning whether he should follow suit. Bishop of Newcastle Helen-Ann Hartley has voiced concerns about Cottrell’s moral authority, questioning his suitability as the Church’s new figurehead.
Compounding the turmoil, abuse survivor Matthew Ineson has ramped up his calls for Bishop of Oxford Steven Croft to step down. Nearly a decade ago, he disclosed his painful history of sexual assault by Devamanikkam to Dr. Croft, yet no substantial action was taken until public and legal pressure mounted.
Mr. McLeod's harrowing account details his experience of being raped at the age of 16, emphasizing the need for accountability within the Church. Despite reporting the abuse to senior clergy, including Dr. Croft, no effective safeguards or investigations ensued until years later, when West Yorkshire Police eventually charged Devamanikkam. Tragically, the former priest committed suicide just hours before his court appearance.
Describing his continued battle for justice, Mr. McLeod stated, "Steven Croft did the same thing and he did it multiple times... I was raped several times, and this bishop must take responsibility for the Church's failure to safeguard me and others." He insists the Church has protected abusers for too long and asserts there should be leadership changes to restore faith within the Church.
Following the publication of a Lessons Learned Review, which criticized numerous senior members for their inadequate responses to several abuse cases, Dr. Croft has openly expressed regret for his previous actions—or lack thereof. He publicly apologized to Mr. McLeod, admitting, "It is one of my deepest regrets... I did not do more to follow up on the disclosure." Despite acknowledging his failures, he insists he was not made aware of the identity of Mr. McLeod's abuser until much later.
Drawing attention to the Church’s overall accountability, the Church of England itself has acknowledged the shortcomings of its leaders. A spokesperson stated, "Matthew had been let down by the Church... we are truly sorry for the abuse he suffered and for our failure to respond well." This acknowledgment came on the heels of findings by Jane Humphreys, which mandated stricter protocols and more comprehensive responses toward allegations of abuse within the Church.
The Church is now under pressure—not only to hold accountable those within its hierarchy but also to implement tangible changes to safeguarding procedures. Survivors, advocates, and members of the Church community demand systemic changes to prevent future abuses, restore faith, and rebuild trust among the congregation.
For many, this scandal is merely the latest chapter of disillusionment with the Church of England. Public confidence has waned as the number of abuse allegations continues to surface, and as revelations about the Church’s failures mount, calls for transparency have become louder than ever.
The future of the Church of England’s leadership remains uncertain as it grapples with these difficult issues and strives to regain the trust of its congregation. The story shines light on the broader systemic issues of accountability and transparency within religious organizations, raising questions about how far structural reforms might need to go to establish safe spaces for all members.
Critics continue to call for immediate action, challenging the Church’s leaders to confront their shortcomings rather than bury them under the continued weight of scandal—making clear at every opportunity: the time for change is now.
