The Archbishop of York, who is set to temporarily lead the Anglican Church, called for the institution to “repent.” This was made during his Christmas sermon following revelations of several cases of sexual abuse.

The Church of England's second most senior cleric Stephen Cottrell will call in a Christmas sermon on Wednesday for repentance and change within an institution reeling from child abuse cover-up scandals.

Church must ‘kneel in penitence’, Archbishop of York says in Christmas sermon - Sermons were being delivered across the Church of England at a tumultuous time for the institution.

The Bishop of Newcastle has criticised the Christmas Day sermon delivered by the Archbishop of York, describing his suggestion that the Church of England needs to change as “empty words”. Stephen Cottrell said the Church should “kneel in penitence” as it continues to face criticism over failures in its handling of various abuse scandals.