Another bishop looking the wrong way

My error. .... another Archbishop.

I heard him talking immediately after the resignation of the Archbishop of Canterbury and was not impressed, as he seemed to be making light of the reasons for his resignation.
Now I understand why.

Such hypocrisy within the hierarchy of the Church. Very sad to think there is not someone more honest and with good moral standards to take over as Archbishop of Canterbury

On the news… the Archbishop of York walking along with his hands humbly clasped in front, and then lighting a candle. Who’s he trying to fool?. Just as bad as Archbishop of Canterbury. Sanctimonious lot

Any cases that now come to light make me wonder if they are just the tip of the iceberg?
Hard to believe that church elders, if that’s the correct name have more or less distributed slaps on the wrist then looked the other way instead of removing them from church posts.

I have just listened to the BBC radio 4 File on 4 Investigates programme on BBC Sounds and it is shocking.

This Archbishop must step down.

I'm just staggered and very very saddened by all this appalling information coming out of the Anglican Church. Archbishop Welby seems under impression that it's all a bit of a lark, at least no one has used his head as a football!! Stand in (?) Archbishop of York, wringing his hands, apparently not able to expel this 'sinner' for 9 years??!! Therefore he, Archbishop cannot be guilty of a coverup, so, where does this leave the hierarchy? Is there any Archbishop who can truthfully fill this position? If you can't trust or believe in the most senior of Anglican leaders, there would seem to be no hope.

Seems there is next to no integrity amongst the clergy.

I agree Jaberwok and it's as disturbing as it is upsetting. Something needs to be done I just don't know what .

Rowan Williams?

Stephen Cottrell LLFL

Stephen Cottrell allowed priest David Tudor to remain in diocese despite being aware of his abusive past. He knew Tudor had paid compensation £10,000 to one of his victims, a woman he abused as a child. Another case where the abuser was not prosecuted after police investigation. Seven women have so far been identified as alleged victims of Tudor.

When appointed, the then Bishop of Chelmsford was told about Tudor’s records which included two criminal trials. He was acquired in the first trial but was convicted in the second for indecently assaulting three girls, given a six month sentence. The conviction quashed on technical grounds. He was banned by a Church tribunal for sexual misconduct in 1989 but allowed to return to his role after 5 years.
In 2005, Tudor was suspended as police investigated an allegation of historical abuse from the 1970
Mr Cottrell said he was unable to remove Tudor from the ministry as there were no complaints which were yet to be adjudicated upon. According to the Archbishop, it wasn’t until 2019 when a new allegation was made that ‘an opportunity to remove the risk ‘ arose.
The Church claims legal advice was until then, no further action could be taken.

The above is a summary from the article in today’s daily mail. There is much more but this gives the background imo. I’m with the Bishop of Newcastle Helen-Ann Hartley in believing Mr Cottrill should step down and should not stand in for the Archbishop of Canterbury.
As others have said, the hierarchy in the CofE begins to look like a men’s club, dominated by disregard for sexual abuse within its ranks

The Archbishop of York defended his actions

There is a Bible passage that desribes what is needed of someone in high position in the Church.

I will find it in the morning.

The c of e needs to find someone who fits God's requirements.

Titus 1:6-9
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
6 someone who is blameless, married only once,[a] whose children are believers, not accused of debauchery and not rebellious. 7 For a bishop,[b] as God’s steward, must be blameless; he must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or addicted to wine or violent or greedy for gain, 8 but he must be hospitable,[c] a lover of goodness, self-controlled, upright, devout, and restrained, 9 holding tightly to the trustworthy word of the teaching, so that he may be able both to exhort with sound instruction and to refute those who contradict it.

Grandmadinosaur

Stephen Cottrell LLFL

Sorry! I was replying to someone further up the thread! I meant that Rowan Williams always appeared eminently trustworthy.

For pity's sake appoint a woman. They seem to be the only ones with any scruples.

I said in another thread that I believed that abusers were drawn to institutions that gave them power over and access to potential victims. Clearly this was understood as when Tudor was living in a Grace and Favour house next to where they held youth groups, they moved the youth groups! I found that incredible. TBH I still don't understand why defrocking was abolished if it left the church unable to get rid of sexual abusers. Surely there must be some sanctions available?

Sarnia

For pity's sake appoint a woman. They seem to be the only ones with any scruples.

Having listened to Dr Helen- Anne Hartley, the Bishop of Newcastle recently, I can only agree.

She's been an amazing voice for doing the right thing.

I suspect many ordinary church goers are really unhappy with current events but it would seem that there are not appropriate structures within the church to really take this on effectively. The structures are so archaic - they seem "grid-locked".

foxie you ask " aren't there any sanctions available?" I've been asking this for ages on these threads and it would appear that there simply are not, or no effective ones.

She has been having a go at John Sentamu as well , apparently.

David Tudor is the vicar here.

Wyllow I've heard Cottrell and others explaining how their hands were tied etc and tbh I was so frustrated that I tried to find an explanation by looking directly at Ecclesiastic law and it was impenetrable for a lay person.
The people who commit abuse under the cover of the church are not Christians and do not represent Christian values. I don't think every male member of the clergy is useless or guilty of covering up abuse but there has been a problem in how some of those in positions of power and responsibility have dealt with safeguarding issues and it seems they have not been helped by outdated practices. I looked at the Complaints procedure 2023 and it looks as if procedures have changed for the better and hopefully practice has too. Sadly I think more instances will come to light and I wonder at what point the calls for resignations will stop. I thought Welby needed to resign and I don't think Cottrell is suitable to replace him in a temporary move either, the church needs someone completely untouched by anything related to these issues.

The Bishop of Newcastle is a positive voice. She indicated when interviewed on radio 4 yesterday that her comments have not been well received by senior people in the Church

It’s safeguarding policies need urgent updating

No I don't expect they have! What else is hidden behind this aura of respectability? What I can't understand is why this person was reinstated in 1989 under supervision? At least now we don't have to listen to Archbishop Welby sactimonously lecturing us all about the virtues of the boat people and our lack of humanity concerning same. Hypocrisy doesn't even begin to describe him. John Sentamu must have been aware, as probably Rowan Williams.