Love your neighbour…unless they’re an archbishop?

By Rev. Dr. Christopher Landau

Premier Christian News

4 April 2025

Newcastle Cathedral has cancelled a planned speaking appearance by the Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell, citing concerns over his handling of safeguarding. Rev Dr Christopher Landau argues that instead of resorting to worldly tactics of de-platforming, the Cathedral should heed the New Testament’s radical call for love and unity

These are not normal times for the Church of England.

The resignation of the Archbishop of Canterbury last November was unprecedented. Disproportionately ageing congregations, ongoing divisions over sexuality, and the shame and chaos of its handling of safeguarding, all point to an institution facing profound, even existential challenges.

And now, there is a rash of examples of various kinds of disinvitation or de-platforming which, I fear, only risk deepening the wounds which already exist.

The latest example involves the decision of the Dean and Chapter of Newcastle Cathedral to revoke an invitation to the Archbishop of York.

The Archbishop in question - the Most Rev Stephen Cottrell - is an evangelist at heart, and over the coming months is touring the cathedrals of the north of England to share insights about the Lord’s Prayer. It is hardly a contentious initiative. And yet Newcastle Cathedral has decided to de-platform the Archbishop, cancelling his planned appearance in September over his handling of safeguarding.

In a statement to the Church Times, the Dean of Newcastle, the Very Revd Lee Batson, is quoted saying that he was “deeply proud of the Cathedral’s ongoing ministry to those who have suffered abuse in their lives. It was this that informed the unanimous decision made solely by the Dean and Chapter to inform the Archbishop that we will not be hosting him as part of his Lord’s Prayer tour. This decision was made independently by the Cathedral’s governing body and applies specifically to this event”.

END