Stephen Cottrell emphasized the need for the Church of England to reflect on the role of the archbishop of Canterbury, suggesting the responsibilities may need to be distributed more broadly in the future. This comes in light of the recent crisis where Archbishop Justin Welby's actions during the abuse scandal were called into question. The church, facing unprecedented challenges, might need different leadership expectations moving forward.
Cottrell highlighted that there is an opportunity for the Church to consider having a woman take over as archbishop of Canterbury. He noted that the role should not be seen as a solitary CEO position, reflecting that the strength of the church lies in its local communities and thus requires a more collaborative approach in leadership.
The aftermath of the abuse cover-up report led Cottrell to express that since Welby's resignation was both 'right and honorable,' it's essential that the church reflects on the kind of person suitable for the position of archbishop. He remarked, 'Sometimes archbishops are treated as if they're the CEO of C of E plc, and that isn't how we work.'
Looking ahead, the Crown Nominations Commission's forthcoming role profile will signal a shift in expectations for the archbishop of Canterbury as Cottrell indicated that, 'We may need to think more seriously about how those responsibilities are shared,' marking a critical moment of transition for the Church of England.
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