Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell sparked controversy at the Church of England's General Synod by suggesting the wording of the "Our Father" prayer might be problematic for some due to its patriarchal connotations. Cottrell acknowledged that the traditional prayer, taught by Jesus to his disciples, could be difficult for individuals with negative experiences related to their earthly fathers.

The Archbishop's comments, delivered during the opening of the General Synod – a key gathering of Church of England leaders – ignited a debate among attendees. Canon Dr. Chris Sugden, chair of the conservative Anglican Mainstream group, challenged Cottrell's perspective, arguing that it prioritized cultural sensitivities over scriptural adherence. Sugden questioned whether the Archbishop was implying Jesus lacked pastoral awareness or had made an error in his teachings.

In contrast, Rev. Christina Rees supported Cottrell's viewpoint, asserting that he had raised a valid and long-standing concern within the Christian community. Rees emphasized the importance of examining whether God truly favors men over women, concluding with a firm negative.

This discussion follows the Church of England's earlier initiative to explore gender-neutral language in prayer and scripture, including potentially replacing traditional pronouns for God and reconsidering the title "Father." This initiative has drawn criticism from some, including Fox News guest and Deacon Fr. Calvin Robinson, who argued that the prayer's wording reflects Jesus's direct instruction and that altering it represents a departure from established doctrine. Robinson called for the Archbishop's resignation, asserting that he was misleading the church.

Robinson reiterated his criticism in a statement to Fox News Digital, questioning the Archbishop's allegiance and emphasizing the lack of inherent problems with addressing God as "Father." He suggested that the Church of England's focus should be on addressing its own internal issues.

In response to Fox News Digital's request for comment, the Church of England provided the full text of the Archbishop's speech.