The Archbishop of York called for changes to the Church of England in his sermon

Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell, who will actually become head of the Church of England next month, called for changes in his Christmas sermon. This was reported on December 25 by the BBC television channel.

Stephen Cottrell made his statement amid criticism of the Church of England for its failure to resolve various abuse scandals.

On Christmas morning at York Cathedral, he spoke of "the shortcomings of those who speak beautifully but whose words never translate into action".

"Now, this Christmas, the Church of God herself must come to the manger, strip off her garments and kneel in repentance and worship <...> and be changed," he said.

The archbishop recalled that at the center of the Christmas story is a defenseless child whom Herod's fierce anger will try to destroy.

"The Church of England must look to this vulnerable child, to this devastation of power, to demonstrate the power of love, for in this vulnerable child we see God," Cottrell declared.

In the summer of 2023, the Spanish Catholic Church said it had identified 728 abusers in its ranks. More than 80 percent of them were direct religious figures.