York, December 25, 2024 – The Europe Today: The Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell, who will assume leadership of the Church of England next month, has delivered a powerful Christmas sermon calling for the Church to prioritize action over words in addressing justice and love. His message comes as the Church continues to grapple with the fallout from abuse scandals that have shaken its foundations.
Archbishop Cottrell, set to take on leadership duties on January 6 following the resignation of Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, emphasized the need for the Church to “walk the talk.” In his sermon at York Minster, he urged the Church to focus on helping the most vulnerable, saying:
“Put the needs of others first—those who are cold, hungry, and homeless this Christmas. Those who are victims of abuse and exploitation. Right now, this Christmas, God’s Church itself needs to come to the manger, strip off her finery, kneel in penitence and adoration—and be changed.”
His sermon highlighted the vulnerability central to the Christmas story, referencing the child Jesus as a symbol of the power of love over tyranny.
A Troubled Backdrop
The Church of England remains under intense scrutiny over its handling of abuse cases. Archbishop Welby resigned in November following criticism of his response to the actions of John Smyth, who abused over 120 boys and young men. Stephen Cottrell has also faced calls to step down due to his oversight of priest David Tudor, who continued serving for years despite restrictions against him being alone with children.
Victims of abuse have expressed disappointment and frustration with the Church’s leadership, describing this Christmas as a difficult time. One survivor, who was abused by David Tudor in the 1980s, voiced her disillusionment with Archbishop Cottrell’s leadership:
“I will find it difficult to listen to Stephen Cottrell and not separate the message he’s putting across from what I know.”
Clergy and Community Reactions
Across the country, clergy have acknowledged the crisis within the Church and the impact it has had on parishioners. The Bishop of Oxford, Steven Croft, spoke of a “crisis in confidence in many of our institutions, including in our own Church,” while Rev Matt Woodcock, vicar at St Stephen’s Church in York, noted the sense of confusion and disappointment among his congregation.
“This month has been really hard to be in the Church of England because of all that’s going on,” Rev Woodcock said. “There is a longing for leadership to get things sorted out.”
Despite the troubled backdrop, local clergy remain committed to offering support to their communities, focusing on the gospel story of hope in the face of darkness. Archbishop Cottrell’s call for action over words underscores the need for tangible change as the Church seeks to rebuild trust and address its shortcomings.
