Stephen Cottrell

Stephen Cottrell is a senior bishop in the Church of England, serving as the Archbishop of York and Primate of England since 2020. He was previously the Bishop of Chelmsford from 2010 and the Bishop of Reading, a suffragan bishop in the Diocese of Oxford, from 2004. Known for his evangelistic and communicative approach, Cottrell is a prominent voice on issues of social justice, discipleship, and church renewal within the Anglican Communion.

Early life and education

Stephen Cottrell was born in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, and was raised in a non-churchgoing family. His initial career path was in the film industry, where he worked as a film editor after studying at the Polytechnic of Central London. A spiritual awakening in his twenties led him to pursue ordination, and he undertook theological training at St Stephen's House, Oxford, an Anglo-Catholic theological college. He was ordained as a deacon in 1987 and as a priest in 1988 within the Diocese of London.

Ecclesiastical career

Cottrell's early ministry was as a curate at Christ Church, Forest Hill, in south London. He then served as Pastoral Director at Chichester Theological College before becoming Canon Pastor at Peterborough Cathedral in 2001. In 2004, he was consecrated as the Bishop of Reading by David Hope, the Archbishop of York at the time, in a service at Southwark Cathedral. He served in this suffragan role in the Diocese of Oxford until his appointment as the Bishop of Chelmsford in 2010, overseeing the large and diverse Diocese of Chelmsford in East Anglia. Following the retirement of John Sentamu, Cottrell was nominated as the 98th Archbishop of York; his election was confirmed at York Minster in July 2020, and he was enthroned during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Views and theology

Cottrell is identified with the Open Evangelical tradition and is a noted proponent of fresh expressions of church. He has been a leading figure in the Church of England's evangelism and discipleship efforts, serving on the Archbishops' Council and contributing to initiatives like Thy Kingdom Come. His theological outlook emphasizes social action, and he has spoken publicly on issues including poverty, climate change, and refugee rights. Within debates on human sexuality, he supports a more inclusive approach while acknowledging the deep divisions within the Anglican Communion. He served as the Chair of the Board of Trustees for the Church Urban Fund.

Personal life

Stephen Cottrell is married to Rebecca Cottrell (née Elton), a potter and teacher; they have three sons. He is known for his accessible communication style, utilizing social media and having authored numerous popular books on Christian spirituality. His interests include football, supporting Southend United F.C., and he is a noted fan of Bruce Springsteen. In 2022, he was awarded an honorary doctorate by the University of Essex.

Publications

Cottrell is a prolific author, with works often focused on practical Christian living and evangelism. His publications include *How to Pray: A Practical Guide*, *The Things He Carried: A Journey to the Cross*, and *Do Nothing to Change Your Life: Discovering What Happens When You Stop*. He co-authored the Archbishops' Council-commissioned book *Mission-Shaped Church*, a seminal text on church planting, and the Lent book *The Nail*. His more recent works, such as *Dear England: Finding Hope, Taking Heart and Changing the World*, reflect on national identity and faith.

Category:1958 births Category:Archbishops of York Category:Alumni of the University of Westminster Category:Alumni of St Stephen's House, Oxford Category:Bishops of Chelmsford Category:Bishops of Reading Category:Living people Category:People from Leigh-on-Sea