Church of England must ‘be modified’, says Archbishop of York in Christmas sermon

The Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell, has used his Christmas Day sermon to call for change within the Church of England. 

It comes after the recent resignation of the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, over his role in safeguarding failings referring to prolific abuser John Smyth. 

The Archbishop of York himself is under pressure from abuse victims to resign over his handling of the David Tudor case while he was Bishop of Chelmsford.

Tudor remained for years in ministry positions within the Diocese of Chelmsford with Cottrell’s approval despite being barred from being alone with children. 

Tudor was eventually barred from ministry completely in October over the sexual assault of two teenage girls. Cottrell has defended his handling of the case and insisted that he was unable for legal reasons to remove Tudor sooner.

Cottrell is on account of take over temporary leadership of the Church of England until Welby’s successor is appointed following his departure from office on January 6. 

In his Christmas Day sermon, Cottrell said the Church needed to transcend words as he called for change. 

“Right now, this Christmas, God’s Church itself needs to return again to the manger and strip off her finery and kneel in penitence and adoration. And be modified,” he said. 

“At the centre of the Christmas story is a tiny vulnerable child; a baby that Herod’s furious wrath will seek to destroy, for like every tyrant, Herod cannot abide a rival.

“And I feel the Church of England – the Church of England I like and serve – needs to have a look at this vulnerable child, at this emptying out of power to reveal the facility of affection, for it’s on this tiny vulnerable child we’re invited to see God.”

He concluded by saying that the Gospel message was about actions.

“Don’t just discuss justice, don’t just discuss joy, don’t just discuss service, don’t just discuss love. Show me,” he said.