New Abuse Allegations Rock the Anglican Church.

A senior Anglican bishop set to temporarily lead the scandal-hit Church of England is facing calls to resign over his handling of a sexual abuse case.

Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell, the second-highest-ranking cleric in the Anglican Church, is expected to take charge early next year following the resignation of Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby. Welby stepped down last month after an independent inquiry concluded he failed to report decades-old abuse by a Church-linked lawyer in 2013, despite having the opportunity to do so. The investigation exposed a culture of cover-ups within the Church of England, involving widespread physical, sexual, psychological, and spiritual abuse across Britain, Zimbabwe, and South Africa.

Now, Bishop of Newcastle Helen-Ann Hartley has urged Cottrell to step aside, accusing him of mishandling a separate abuse case during his tenure as Bishop of Chelmsford. According to reports, Cottrell allowed priest David Tudor to remain in ministry despite knowing that Tudor was prohibited from being alone with children and that the Church had previously compensated a sexual abuse survivor linked to Tudor’s misconduct.

Cottrell’s spokesperson defended his actions, stating he had no legal authority to dismiss Tudor, as earlier complaints had already been addressed. The spokesperson added that no further action could be taken until a new allegation surfaced in 2019. However, Hartley criticized this stance, asserting that Cottrell’s inaction undermined his credibility.

“It completely erodes his moral and ethical authority to lead the institution,” Hartley told the BBC. “The lack of decisive action in this case is deeply concerning.”

The controversy dates back to Cottrell’s appointment as Bishop of Chelmsford in 2010, when he was informed of Tudor’s past legal troubles. In 1988, Tudor faced two criminal trials. He was acquitted of indecently assaulting a 15-year-old girl but admitted to having sexual relations with her when she was 16. In a separate trial, he was convicted of indecently assaulting three girls and sentenced to six months in prison, though the conviction was later overturned on technical grounds.

Despite being banned from ministry for five years, Tudor was eventually allowed to return under strict conditions, which barred him from being alone with children or entering schools. Yet, he went on to serve as an area dean overseeing 12 parishes in Chelmsford. Bishop Hartley condemned this decision, stating that “any measures taken should have been far stronger than attempting to manage a known risk.”

Tudor was finally banned from ministry for life just two months ago after a Church disciplinary tribunal concluded his past sexual relations with two girls constituted “grooming” and a severe breach of trust. At least seven women have accused Tudor of abuse, according to the BBC.

The mounting criticism raises questions about accountability and leadership within the Church of England as it continues to grapple with the fallout from decades of abuse and institutional failings.