The gathering’s muted tone on Monday was a reflection of the overcast sky in which it is held.
Others, however, voiced their displeasure with the demands for Mr. Cottrell’s resignation and what some have referred to as a “trial by media”.
Rose Hudson-Wilkin, the Bishop of Dover, told the BBC: “This kind of feverish attitude… this is not about a boardroom meeting. This is the church, and we deal with God’s business.
“An opportunity for the church to stop and take stock, as it were” is how she described the event.
“I know mistakes have been made and I know that I have made mistakes,” Mr. Cottrell stated in his speech to the synod.
“Determined to do what I can” to “lead the change we all know we need” is what he added.
Following a damning report last year that criticized the Church for its handling of decades-long child abuse, the synod is anticipated to have important talks this week regarding safeguarding measures.
Following the publication of the Smyth case report, Bishop Hartley was the first high-ranking clergyman to demand that Mr. Welby resign.
She claimed that some of her clergy colleagues now consider her to be a troublemaker, with one calling her the “Bishop of Negativity.”
“I think that is really sad,” she said, adding that she thought if “fear” had not stopped them, others might have joined her in speaking out.
The General Synod, also referred to as the Church’s parliament, convenes up to three times a year to discuss and approve policies that govern the Church’s operations. Every five years, 478 members are chosen to serve on it.
The topic has been added to this week’s synod agenda after a number of clergy members and victims of abuse have called for safeguarding reform.
According to Bishop Hartley, Mr. Cottrell was not the best person to lead the reform initiative.
She said on BBC Radio 4’s Today program, “I do not think it is appropriate for the Archbishop of York to be in post, and certainly to be leading change that the Church needs at this time.”
After the BBC disclosed last year that Mr. Cottrell had permitted priest David Tudor to continue in his position in spite of a ban on contact with children and previous compensation payments, criticism of him increased.
Bishop Hartley stated, “I do find it abhorrent to allow Tudor to remain in post.”
She also took issue with Mr. Cottrell for allegedly calling Tudor a “Rolls Royce priest” even though he was aware of the settlement.
Mr. Cottrell has expressed his “deeply sorry” for the delay in taking action since the BBC investigation was first made public, but he has acknowledged that this was the circumstance he inherited. Last year, Tudor was barred from the ministry.
