April 26, 2025 12:08 am
Full News

Church of England’s Christmas Plea for Repentance Amid Abuse Scandals

LONDON – In his Christmas sermon at York Minster on Wednesday, Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell, the Church of England’s second most senior cleric, is set to call for repentance and transformation within the institution as it grapples with the fallout from child abuse scandals.

The Church has been shaken by the resignation of Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, following allegations he failed to act against prolific abuser John Smyth. Cottrell, now leading the Church until Welby’s successor is appointed, also faces accusations over his handling of safeguarding failures during his tenure as Bishop of Chelmsford.

“The Church of England…needs to come to the manger and strip off her finery, kneel in penitence, and be changed,” Cottrell will say, urging the Church to confront its failings.

Drawing on the Christmas story, he will add: “At the center of the Christmas story is a vulnerable child…in this vulnerable child, we see God. The Church must recognize this vulnerability and embrace the power of love.”

Welby, who officially steps down on Jan. 6, will not deliver the traditional Christmas sermon at Canterbury Cathedral this year, as the Church’s global community of 85 million Anglicans watches closely. The process to appoint his successor could take up to six months.

Cottrell himself is under fire after reports revealed he allowed priest David Tudor to remain in his role despite knowing Tudor was barred from unsupervised contact with children. While Cottrell apologized for the “intolerable” circumstances he inherited, critics argue his actions further undermined the Church’s safeguarding efforts.

The scandals have ignited public outrage, with many calling for comprehensive reforms. David Greenwood, a lawyer specializing in abuse cases, said the Church’s repeated failures have “shaken trust in its ability to protect congregants and uphold its duty of care.”

As the Church of England celebrates Christmas this year, it faces an urgent need for reflection, repentance, and meaningful change to heal both its congregation and public trust.

Related News
US and EU Officials Convene in Paris for High-Stakes Ukraine Talks
India expresses concern over Chinmoy arrest
Europe Prepares for “Swift and Brutal Transition” with Trump’s Return
WW3 ALERT: NATO Considers Massive Strike on Russia; Kremlin Threatens Nuclear Retaliation
Israel’s Ongoing Assault on Gaza Claims Dozens of Palestinian Children, Talks for Ceasefire Underway
Drought Is Increasing Around The World
Related Posts
Pakistan Supported Terrorism for the West, Admits Defence Minister
Trump to Propose $100 Billion Arms Deal with Saudi Arabia
UN Chief Urges India and Pakistan to Exercise Restraint
U.S. Secretary of State: Iran Must Abandon Nuclear Program Completely
Jordan Bans Muslim Brotherhood Over Security Concerns
Exchange of Gunfire Between Indian and Pakistani Troops at Kashmir Border
More News

Palestinian Authorities Suspend Al Jazeera Broadcasts

The Palestinian authorities have suspended the broadcast of Qatar-based Al Jazeera TV, accusing it of airing “provocative content.” According to Reuters, this temporary suspension does not apply to the Gaza Strip, which is under Hamas control and outside the jurisdiction of the Palestinian Authority. The Palestinian news agency WAFA reported on Wednesday that the suspension […]

Indian Diplomat to Visit Bangladesh Amid Rising Tensions

India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri will visit Bangladesh on Monday amid worsening relations between the two nations. Tensions have escalated since the July unrest that ousted former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, whose 15-year rule was backed by New Delhi. Hasina, now in India, faces extradition demands from Dhaka, further straining ties.Interim head of the government […]

Bangladesh Facing Dire Economic Consequences and It’s Media Freedom worse to Afghanistan

Shamima Chowdhury Bangladesh Interim Government head, Chief Adviser Dr. Mohammed Yunus invited Mr. Alex Sorros, Chairman of the Open Society Foundation of his father billionaire George Sorrows and solicited funds as President Donald Trump stopped financing many projects. Bangladesh economy is in the verge of collapse since 5 August 2024 when students-led and military-backed uprising […]

IFFI to Honor Four Legends of Indian Cinema

The International Film Festival of India (IFFI) is preparing to celebrate the 100th birth anniversaries of four legendary figures in Indian cinema. The festival will pay tribute to actor-director Raj Kapoor, director Tapan Sinha, Telugu film star Akkineni Nageswara Rao (ANR), and renowned singer Mohammed Rafi. In its 55th edition, the festival will showcase restored […]

38 Vietnamese Tourists Missing in South Korea’s Jeju Island

Jeju Island authorities are searching for 38 Vietnamese tourists who went missing during a trip to the southern resort island, according to a report by South Korea’s Yonhap News Agency. The tourists were part of a group of around 90 visitors who arrived on Jeju Island on November 14 via a chartered VietJet Air flight. […]

Karoline Leavitt Named Youngest White House Press Secretary

President-elect Donald Trump has appointed Karoline Leavitt as White House press secretary, making her the youngest in U.S. history to hold the position at just 27 years old. Trump praised Leavitt as a “highly effective communicator” and expressed confidence in her ability to help advance his administration’s agenda. “Karoline is smart, tough, and has proven […]

Trump Signs Executive Order to Dismantle Seven Federal Agencies

On March 14, U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order targeting the dismantling of seven federal agencies, including the U.S. Agency for Global Media, which oversees Voice of America and other government-funded media outlets. The order directs agency heads to eliminate non-statutory functions and reduce personnel to the minimum required by law. The U.S. […]

UN Human Rights High Commissioner Makes Historic First Visit to Syria

Damascus, Syria – In a historic first, the United Nations Human Rights High Commissioner has visited Syria, marking a significant moment in the ongoing efforts to address the country’s severe human rights situation. The High Commissioner expressed admiration for the bravery, fortitude, and resilience of the Syrian people, who have endured years of atrocities and […]

Trump Hints at Possibility of Seeking Third Term

The US President Donald Trump stated on Sunday that he was not joking about the possibility of seeking a third presidential term, despite being barred by the U.S. Constitution. However, he emphasized that it was “far too early” to consider such a move seriously. In a phone interview with NBC News, Trump confirmed, “No, I’m […]

Interference in Independent Journalism Abroad: Accreditation Revoked at UNESCO Event

Paris, February 20 – Allegations of interference in independent journalism have surfaced after a journalist’s accreditation for covering the International Mother Language Day Silver Jubilee event at UNESCO was abruptly revoked on the day of the event. The journalist had received approval for accreditation eight days prior, making the sudden cancellation highly controversial. The event, […]