Archbishop of York ‘sorry’ for safeguarding failures

‘In the past, the Church of England has been too quick to protect its own reputation and slow to admit failings’

THE new Archbishop of York has apologised for failing to act on allegations of domestic abuse by a priest.

The Rt Revd Stephen Cottrell, who next week will be confirmed as the Church of England’s second most senior cleric after the Archbishop of Canterbury, failed to ensure that the disclosure was properly documented and that action was taken.

He said: “It is absolutely essential that I am open and transparent about the need for the whole of our Church to be scrupulously honest with each other about any failings in safeguarding.”

The former Bishop of Chelmsford will take over from Dr John Sentamu as Archbishop of York.

The disclosure will be seen as a blow to the Church of England, which is working to prove to survivors of abuse that it is committed to rebuilding trust following convictions and allegations of abuse, and cover-ups by leaders.

Bishop Cottrell said: “Ten years ago, I was approached about a safeguarding allegation regarding a priest.

“I was able to see the survivor and begin to hear what was a difficult and harrowing story. However, I was moving between roles at the time and although I did speak with colleagues about the actions that needed to be taken, I failed to ensure that these were properly documented and followed through in the way I would expect.

“Now that I have discovered that this incident was not followed up as it should have been, I am deeply distressed and extremely sorry. In the past, the Church of England has been too quick to protect its own reputation and slow to admit its failings. This must change.”

The Most Rev Justin Welby, Archbishop

of Canterbury, said that Bishop Cottrell “clearly should have informed the authorities and made fuller notes of what he did in this case”.

“He has shown humility in immediately admitting he failed to act as he should have done in this case,” he said.

Gilo, an abuse survivor and campaigner for reform within the Church, said: “This represents a turning point in which many senior Church figures now need to come clean. We will see if others are now able to recognise this as the moment it needs to be.”