The Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell, finds himself at the center of controversy as he faces mounting calls for resignation following revelations about his handling of sexual abuse allegations against the priest David Tudor. This week, the BBC aired a documentary shedding light on Tudor's abusive history, igniting debates over safeguarding measures within the Church of England.
During his tenure as Bishop of Chelmsford, Archbishop Cottrell was aware of Tudor’s troubling past, including multiple allegations of sexual abuse. Pressure intensified on Cottrell just as he prepares to assume temporary leadership of the Church of England after the planned resignation of Archbishop Justin Welby, who himself faced criticism for mishandling historical abuse cases.
On Monday, the BBC released its investigation on BBC Sounds, scheduled for broader broadcast, detailing Tudor’s abusive behavior and the Church's failure to act decisively over the years. Tudor, who served as Team Rector of Canvey Island, was originally prohibited from ministry for five years due to sexual misconduct but returned to ministry sooner than should have been permissible.
The investigation uncovered alarming details about Tudor's past, including his payment of £10,000 to a victim who alleged he sexually abused her as a child. Controversially, he remained within the Church until 2019, when fresh allegations prompted his suspension. Critics argue Cottrell should have taken immediate action against him long before.
Archbishop Cottrell defended his record during interviews, insisting, "I acted immediately within the authority I had" and explained, "It was not possible to remove David Tudor from office until such time as fresh complaints were made." He expressed deep regret over the situation, declaring, "I am deeply sorry for what has happened, particularly for those who suffered. This should never have happened." Cottrell also emphasized the changes, stating, "Changes to the way safeguarding is managed today would prevent the same issues from arising now as they did then."
Critics, particularly Bishop of Newcastle Helen-Ann Hartley, expressed skepticism over Cottrell's ability to fulfill his role. She publicly stated, "It's impossible to have confidence in him to drive change" and characterized his leadership as lacking moral authority. Hartley argued he should have "found a way to remove Mr. Tudor, even if it risked lawsuits for unfair dismissal. Surely that's a risk worth taking to keep people safe!"
Reflecting on Bishop Hartley's comments, Cottrell noted he had worked closely with the safeguarding team to manage risks associated with Tudor until concrete reasons were presented for his removal. Despite his defense, Hartley’s comments have fueled rising discontent within the Church, where issues of safeguarding and accountability have come under increased scrutiny.
Many members of the Church community have voiced their concerns, with one alleged victim criticizing the Church's apparent lack of action, calling the Archbishop's handling of her case akin to "spitting in her face." She expressed displeasure over Tudor being allowed to ascend the ranks within the Church, saying, "Nobody would make such a payment if they didn’t have something to hide." Despite being banned for life after admitting to serious abuse, Tudor was previously appointed honorary canon at Chelmsford Cathedral, which the victim described as "horrendous."
This past week, the BBC also pointed out the complicity of former archbishops, noting the involvement of Welby and his predecessor George Carey during Cottrell’s tenure as Bishop of Chelmsford. Survivors of Tudor’s alleged abuse have come forward, and it is reported there are claims from at least seven victims, exacerbated by the delayed response from Church leadership.
Set against this backdrop, Cottrell's upcoming leadership role as interim Archbishop of Canterbury has drawn skepticism. The scrutiny surrounding the Church raises questions about the structures of power and accountability within its ranks, especially considering the historical protection afforded to clergy over victims.
The criticisms directed at Cottrell come at a sensitive time for the Church. Following Welby's resignation, which was prompted by failures to manage another abuse scandal involving the late John Smyth, Archbishop Cottrell's governance is viewed as pivotal for the credibility and integrity of the Church moving forward.
He remains committed to pursuing safeguards more aggressively and stated, "I pledge myself to do what I can to bring about independent scrutiny of safeguarding measures within the Church." Nonetheless, Bishop Hartley and other critics warn transitioning leaders must be dealt with cautiously, insisting on the necessity for immediate and effective reform, not just promises.
With impending discussions likely surrounding the nature of leadership and safeguarding within the Church of England, it becomes increasingly apparent: the road to restoring trust will be long and complex.
