The head of the Church of England’s disciplinary process has said that the Archbishop of York has no case to reply over how he handled a safeguarding criticism.
Archbishop Stephen Cottrell got here under scrutiny after a 2024 BBC investigation claimed that he had allowed disgraced former priest, David Tudor, to stay in post for nine years when he was Bishop of Chelmsford and return as an area dean despite being aware of great safeguarding concerns about him.
Tudor was later barred from ministry over the sexual assault of two teenage girls. Archbishop Cottrell has at all times claimed that there have been legal constraints that prevented him from having the ability to remove Tudor sooner.
The president of the Church of England’s clergy discipline measure (CDM), Sir Stephen Males, has cleared him of misconduct, stating that Cottrell “had no power to remove or suspend David Tudor from ministry”. It implies that Cottrell won’t should participate in a disciplinary hearing.
Sir Stephen said: “I conclude that although some mistakes were made within the handling of David Tudor’s case, there is no such thing as a case for the respondent to reply in respect of which a disciplinary tribunal ought to be requested to adjudicate.”
One of Tudor’s victims told the BBC said was “disgusted and appalled” by the choice to not take motion against Cottrell, and said that it raised questions on accountability inside the CofE leadership. Other critics have made similar comments given the timing of the choice, coming just weeks after Cottrell dismissed a CDM against recent Archbishop of Canterbury, Dame Sarah Mullally.
Responding to Sir Stephen’s decision to not take any further motion against him, Archbishop Cottrell admitted there have been “some things I wish I had done in another way”.
“I’m sorry that the reappointment of Mr Tudor as Area Dean didn’t sufficiently consider the impact on those he had harmed,” he said.
“With today’s trauma-informed understanding – which rightly places greater emphasis on listening rigorously to survivors and recognising the lasting harm brought on by abuse – I might take a distinct approach now.
“Safeguarding standards inside the Church of England have modified and improved significantly since Mr Tudor was allowed back to ministry within the Eighties.
“I’m committed to making sure that this progress continues as we try towards a safer Church. I remain committed to meeting with victims and survivors to learn from their experiences and to strengthen safeguarding practice, and I’m grateful to those that have come forward to share their experiences.”
