Already shaken in mid-November by the resignation of its spiritual leader, the Anglican Church of England is once again in turmoil: at the center of the discussion is its number two, the Archbishop of York, accused of having delayed in acting against a priest in a case of child abuse. However, the Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell, will temporarily take over the Church of England on 6 January, replacing Justin Welby, the outgoing Archbishop of Canterbury.
The facts, which emerged from an investigation by BBCthey date back to 2010, when Stephen Cottrell was bishop of Chelmsford (south-east England). He is accused of keeping in charge a priest, David Tudor, who the institute had prohibited from being alone with children after several cases of sexual violence.
Stephen Cottrell assured that he had “suspended David Tudor at the first opportunity”
David Tudor was banned from ministry two months ago by the Church of England after he admitted having sexual relations with two underage girls, the BBC says.
On Monday, Stephen Cottrell assured that he had “suspended David Tudor at the first opportunity when a new victim came forward to the police in 2019”. But until then it was “not legally possible” to take action, he said in a news release. “I am deeply sorry that I was not able to act sooner,” said the cleric, who however ruled out resigning.
The Archbishop of York has assured that he will do “everything in his power” to establish an “independent body” to support Church leaders in making decisions, particularly in cases of sexual violence. This project, which he says he has supported “for years”, will also be the place where “those with frustrations and concerns can make their voices heard”.
In total, at least seven women say they were sexually assaulted by the priest when they were minors. According to the BBC, one of them received a “six-figure” settlement from the institution in 2019, and others have filed civil complaints.
The archbishop’s credibility is called into question
David Tudor served in the Church of England for over 46 years, in London and the east, rising through the ranks of the institution through his charismatic preaching.
“The failure to act in this matter completely undermines the credibility” of the Archbishop of York, the Bishop of Newcastle, Helen-Ann Hartley, told the BBC. “How can one have the moral and ethical authority to lead an institution under such conditions? “, he asked again.
This affair further damages the Anglican institution, accused in mid-November of having repressed a scandal of physical and sexual assaults committed by a lawyer linked to the institution.
The report highlights in particular that this lawyer who died in 2018, who attacked more than 130 children and young people, could have been the subject of a real investigation and brought to justice if the highest authorities of the Church of England had reacted in time.
This report led to the resignation of the Church’s most senior dignitary, the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby.
Four years ago, an earlier report accused him of allowing a “culture” to persist that allows perpetrators of sexual violence against children to “hide” and escape justice.
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