The Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell, is already facing mounting pressure to resign over his handling of a sexual abuse case, just days before he is due to take temporary charge of the Church of England.
The calls come after it emerged that, as Bishop of Chelmsford, Cottrell allowed priest David Tudor to remain in his position – despite knowing he had been barred from being alone with children and had paid compensation to a sexual abuse victim.
The controversy emerges amid a period of turmoil for the Church, following the recent resignation of Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby over a separate abuse scandal.
A spokesman for Cottrell said he had been in an “invidious situation” and lacked legal power to dismiss the priest.
The Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell, is already facing mounting pressure to resign
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Tudor was only banned from ministry two months ago, after admitting historical sex abuse allegations relating to two girls.
During his time as Bishop of Chelmsford, Cottrell was fully briefed on “longstanding safeguarding concerns” about Tudor in his first week in office.
These included Tudor’s previous criminal trials, a 1989 Church ban for sexual misconduct, and a 2008 safeguarding agreement preventing him from being alone with children, a BBC investigation revealed.
The Bishop of Newcastle, the Rt Rev Helen-Ann Hartley, has said Cottrell should step down from his position as archbishop.
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The Archbishop of York (left) will step in to lead the Church of England for a few months after the Archbishop of Canterbury leaves
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“It completely undermines his credibility that this case was not acted on,” she told the broadcaster.
“How can you have the moral and ethical authority to lead an institution with that?” she added.
Hartley also described Cottrell’s response as “simply not good enough”, particularly questioning his decision to allow Tudor to become an honorary canon of Chelmsford Cathedral.
She has been a lone voice among senior clergy in criticising the Church’s handling of abuse cases.
As Bishop of Chelmsford, Cottrell (pictured) allowed Tudor to remain in his position – despite knowing he had been barred from being alone with children
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The BBC investigation revealed that Cottrell was informed in 2012 about a £10,000 compensation payment made by Tudor to a victim known as “Jessica”.
She claims Tudor sexually abused her from age 11 during the 1970s, sometimes violently, when he was training to be a minister.
Cottrell’s office said the payment “admitted no liability” and that he had been guided by “legal advice” that no further action could be taken.
Despite this, Tudor was later made an honorary canon of Chelmsford Cathedral, a decision Cottrell’s office now says he “regrets”.
“I feel like he [Stephen Cottrell] has spat in my face,” said Jessica, who received the £10,000 compensation payment.
She believes Cottrell’s failure to act when informed about the payment means he should “leave the Church”.
At least seven women have now come forward saying they were abused by Tudor.
One received a six-figure compensation payment from the Church in 2019, while others are bringing civil claims.
Tudor worked for the Church of England for over 46 years across London, Surrey and Essex, rising from curate to honorary canon.
