THE Church of England’s General Synod is set to gather on Monday for the first time since the archbishop of Canterbury’s resignation, at what has been described as a time of “unprecedented crisis.”

Justin Welby’s temporary stand-in, Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell, will deliver an opening address to the meeting in London, but has faced his own calls to quit over safeguarding failures.

An advocate for abuse survivors has called on Mr Cottrell and other senior leaders in the church to show “radical humility,” as the handling of abuse cases once again comes under the spotlight during debate this week.

Separately, Reverend Ian Paul, a Synod member for 15 years and petitioner for Mr Welby’s resignation, said it was a hugely significant moment for the Church.

“There’s never been anything like this in our lifetime, because the church is in an unprecedented crisis,” he said. 

Likening the situation to a collapsing roof, Mr Paul, who describes himself as an orthodox Anglican, said: “The crisis we’re facing now is a result of the gradual erosion of trust and confidence and lack of openness and transparency.”

Lead safeguarding bishop Joanne Grenfell has said there is a recognition within the church of the “deep and lasting impact of abuse.”

Monday will see the first of five days of debate and various votes in what is known as the church’s parliament.