Church must ‘kneel in penitence’, Archbishop of York to say in Christmas sermon

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. And be changed Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell Victims of the priest have branded Mr Cottrell’s response to the case “insulting and upsetting” and suggested that his resignation or him being forced out of his leading role in the Church was “inevitable”. He will say: “Right now, this Christmas, God’s Church itself needs to come to the manger and strip off her finery and kneel in penitence and adoration. We need to pause and take stock at Christmas time Bishop of Oxford Steven Croft “If you’re in love, show me. “The story of Christmas is today’s story, relevant to the thousands of people in pain due to being abused, dislocated, in refugee camps, fleeing violence, war, climate change, famine.” Meanwhile, Bishop of Oxford Steven Croft will reflect on a “difficult and eventful year here on planet Earth”, as well as in the Church.