Stephen Cottrell has been appointed to temporarily lead the Church of England following the resignation of Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, who stepped down amid criticism for mishandling sexual abuse allegations.

Cottrell's leadership comes at a challenging time, as the process to appoint a new Archbishop of Canterbury is expected to be lengthy due to necessary consultations and interviews.

Cottrell faces significant scrutiny for his past decisions, particularly regarding priest David Tudor, whom he allowed to remain in ministry despite knowing Tudor was barred from being alone with children and had previously compensated a victim.

The victim of Tudor's abuse, who received £10,000 in compensation, has publicly condemned Cottrell's inaction and called for his resignation.

Bishop of Newcastle, Helen-Ann Hartley, has criticized Cottrell, stating that he lacks the credibility and moral authority to lead the Church, given the serious nature of the allegations against him.

Cottrell's spokesperson has claimed he lacked the legal authority to dismiss Tudor until recently, despite being aware of Tudor's restrictions since 2008.

Tudor was ultimately banned for life from ministry in October 2024 after admitting to sexual misconduct, including relationships with underage girls.

The Church of England has acknowledged serious past safeguarding failures and announced plans for an independent review of its practices.

Welby's resignation followed a report that revealed his failure to report serious abuse allegations, which could have prevented further harm.

As Cottrell prepares to take on his new role, he is seen as a frontrunner but is under pressure due to the ongoing crisis and calls for accountability within the Church.

The process for appointing a new Archbishop involves recommendations from the Crown Nominations Commission, followed by formal approval from the King.

The Church of England, part of the global Anglican Communion, is facing intense scrutiny over its handling of abuse allegations, impacting its 85 million members worldwide.