Archbishop Faces Resignation Calls Over Mishandling of Abuse Case

Archbishop Stephen Cottrell of York confronts mounting pressure to step down due to his involvement in the mishandling of a sexual abuse case, just days before he assumes interim leadership of the Church of England.

While serving as Bishop of Chelmsford, Cottrell permitted David Tudor, a priest under strict safeguarding measures, to continue ministerial duties despite being prohibited from unsupervised interactions with children. Tudor, who had previously compensated a victim of abuse, was only recently barred from ministry following his confession to historical allegations of misconduct involving minors, as revealed by a BBC investigation.

A spokesperson for Cottrell argued that his position left him legally constrained from dismissing Tudor, asserting that disciplinary options were limited during much of his tenure. Nonetheless, critics, including the Rt Rev Helen-Ann Hartley, Bishop of Newcastle, contend Cottrell's actions fell drastically short of the moral and ethical standards expected. Hartley unequivocally stated, "His credibility is fundamentally compromised. How can one lead an institution while failing to uphold its foundational principles?"

Jessica (a pseudonym), one of Tudor’s survivors, received £10,000 compensation but expressed profound anguish over Cottrell’s lack of decisive action. "I feel like he’s spat in my face," she lamented, demanding his resignation. Jessica’s case, along with a damning report exposing widespread cover-ups of abuse within the Church, has amplified calls for accountability.

The turmoil has already resulted in Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby's resignation, leaving Cottrell poised to take temporary charge—a role shadowed by his own controversial record. Notably, Welby himself, alongside former Archbishop George Carey, has also faced scrutiny over their knowledge of Tudor’s misconduct, raising questions about institutional complicity.

The saga of David Tudor, spanning decades, reveals a disturbing pattern of leniency within Church leadership. Tudor faced criminal trials in the late 1980s, including one conviction for indecent assault on minors. While this verdict was later quashed due to judicial errors, a Church tribunal banned him for sexual misconduct in 1989. Yet, astonishingly, Tudor resumed ministry five years later under supervision, eventually ascending to roles such as area dean and honorary canon, despite longstanding allegations and safeguarding agreements restricting his duties.

Stephen Cottrell, informed of Tudor's history during his first week as Bishop of Chelmsford in 2010, reportedly adhered to legal guidance, which purportedly limited his ability to impose further disciplinary measures. Critics, however, find this explanation insufficient. Bishop Hartley argued that the Church’s decision to "manage risk" rather than address it was a grievous failure.

Adding to the controversy, Tudor’s honorary canon appointment in 2012—an automatic elevation under revised Church policies—sparked outrage among survivors like Jessica, who deemed the recognition "horrendous." Cottrell has since expressed regret over the appointment but maintains it was neither a reward nor a promotion.

Further scrutiny has unearthed Tudor's prolonged protection by Church leadership. Archbishop George Carey, in the 1990s, allowed Tudor’s return to ministry and later authorized the removal of his name from disciplinary records. Carey has stated he does not recall the details, but leaked documents reveal a troubling acquiescence to Tudor’s reinstatement, a decision the Church now admits would be deemed "inexcusable" by contemporary standards.

Similarly, Archbishop Justin Welby, informed of Tudor’s active ministry as recently as 2018, has been accused of inaction. Rev Jenny Penn, a safeguarding adviser who flagged Tudor's ongoing service to Welby’s office, described receiving evasive responses to her concerns. Penn’s frustrations echo those of many survivors who view the Church’s safeguarding failures as emblematic of deeper, systemic issues.

For Tudor’s survivors, the ramifications of his abuse and the Church’s subsequent failures remain profound. Debbie (a pseudonym), who endured abuse as a teenager, shared how the lack of accountability deepened her trauma. "It felt like he was protected," she said through tears. The Church’s actions, or lack thereof, she added, left her burdened with shame for decades.

Although Tudor has now been permanently banned from ministry following his admission of sexual misconduct, survivors argue the Church’s response remains grossly inadequate. As Jessica poignantly stated, "He should never have been let back into the Church in the first place."

The Tudor case underscores the urgent need for transformative reform within the Church of England. Without accountability at the highest levels, including Archbishop Stephen Cottrell, critics fear the institution will continue to betray its moral obligations to those it has vowed to protect.