Archbishop of York says Church must 'be changed’ in Christmas Day sermon

The Archbishop of York highlighted the need for actions over words in his Christmas sermon on Wednesday amid criticism of the Church's handling of various abuse cases.

Stephen Cottrell will become interim leader of the Church of England next month, replacing outgoing Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, but he is also facing calls to resign.

Mr Welby announced his resignation in November after a report found prolific serial abuser John Smyth may have been brought to justice had Mr Welby formally reported him to police in 2013.

But Mr Cottrell has himself also faced calls to quit after revelations David Tudor, a priest at the centre of another sexual abuse case, was twice reappointed under him while he was serving as bishop of Chelmsford.

Earlier this week, Mr Cottrell acknowledged things “could have been handled differently” as a spokesperson for him said no one had advised him at the time that Tudor should not continue as an area dean.

They added that even had he not continued in that role, it would not have meant he was removed as parish priest.

Victims of Tudor have said Mr Cottrell’s response to the case is “insulting and upsetting” and suggested his resignation or him being forced out of his leading role in the Church was “inevitable”.

Bishop of Newcastle Helen-Ann Hartley questioned how Mr Cottrell could have any credibility, and Bishop of Gloucester Rachel Treweek declined to publicly back him.

At his Christmas sermon, the Archbishop said the Church must “kneel in penitence and adoration” and “be changed”.

He said needs of others, including victims of abuse and exploitation must be put first.

Referring to the musical My Fair Lady, he pointed to the example of Eliza Doolittle who he says is “utterly exasperated by the empty promises” of someone.

He also raised the importance of deeds over words, adding: “Don’t just talk about justice, don’t just talk about service, don’t just talk about love. Show me.”

Bishop of Dover Rose Hudson-Wilkin is giving the sermon at Canterbury Cathedral in place of Mr Welby who announced last month that he would resign, after initially declining to do so, in the wake of the Makin Review.

It concluded that barrister John Smyth – the most prolific serial abuser to be associated with the Church – might have been brought to justice had Mr Welby formally reported him to police in 2013.

The process to replace Mr Welby is expected to take months, with an announcement about a new archbishop of Canterbury possible in autumn 2025.

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