10/02/2025
In his Presidential Address to the Church of England’s General Synod, which opened with prayer, lament and silence, the Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell reaffirmed his love for the Church while recognising the urgent need for reform and greater accountability.
Alison Coulter, Kate Wharton and Bishop Sarah Mullally led a Litany of penitence and silence at the start of presidential address, acknowledging the anguish, anger, and sadness felt by victims and survivors of abuse.
Recognising the profound challenges facing the Church, including safeguarding failures, Archbishop Stephen Cottrell called for both lamentation and decisive action. “Words alone are not enough,” he stated. “What we need are words made flesh—actions that embody change.”
Central to his address was the call for a culture of accountability and transparency, particularly in safeguarding. At the first General Synod since the publication of the Makin Review and the resignation of the former Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, Archbishop Stephen reaffirmed his commitment to implementing the Review’s recommendations and strengthening independent scrutiny within the Church’s safeguarding structures.
Archbishop Stephen also spoke of the Church’s role in ministering to the nation, highlighting its presence in schools, hospitals, chaplaincies, and local communities. Reaffirming the Church’s mission, Archbishop Stephen referred to the Beatitudes as a guiding framework, emphasising justice, mercy, and peace-making. “Blessed are the meek,” he concluded, calling on the Church to embrace its mission with obedience to God’s will and a commitment to justice and love.
Read the address in full