Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell, is facing growing calls to resign over his handling of a sexual abuse case involving a priest, just days before he temporarily takes charge of the Church of England.
As Bishop of Chelmsford, Cottrell allowed priest David Tudor to remain in his post despite knowing that Tudor had been barred by the Church from being alone with children and had paid compensation to a sexual abuse victim.
A BBC investigation has revealed that Cottrell was aware of these issues but failed to take decisive action.
A spokesperson for Cottrell argued that he was in an “invidious situation” and lacked the legal authority to remove Tudor. Tudor was only recently banned from ministry after admitting to historical abuse allegations involving two girls.
However, the Bishop of Newcastle, Rt Rev Helen-Ann Hartley, has criticized Cottrell’s response, suggesting that he could have done more and should step down. “It completely undermines his credibility that this case was not acted on,” Hartley told BBC’s File on 4 Investigates. “How can you have the moral and ethical authority to lead an institution with that?”
A woman, who was paid £10,000 in compensation by Tudor for sexual abuse she suffered as a child, has also demanded Cottrell’s resignation, saying his failure to act when informed of the payment makes him unfit to remain in the Church. “I feel like he [Stephen Cottrell] has spat in my face,” she said.
These calls for resignation come amid turmoil in the Church of England following a damning report that exposed how the Church had covered up widespread abuse by barrister John Smyth. The fallout from the report led to the resignation of the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby. Cottrell is set to temporarily take on Welby’s role for a few months in the New Year.
The BBC investigation has also revealed that both Welby and former Archbishop of Canterbury, George Carey, were involved in the Tudor case. Welby was informed of the allegations in 2018, and Carey was reportedly briefed about Tudor in 1993. Tudor, who worked for the Church for over 46 years, has been accused of abusing at least seven women, with one receiving a six-figure compensation from the Church in 2019, and others bringing civil claims against him.
Tudor, known for his charismatic preaching, served in various positions across London, Surrey, and Essex, before becoming an area dean on Canvey Island in 2010, the same year Cottrell became Bishop of Chelmsford. Cottrell was fully briefed on the longstanding safeguarding concerns about Tudor during his first week as bishop.
