A FORMER Archbishop of York has resigned from his position as an honorary assistant bishop after a report into allegations of child abuse by a former cathedral dean found “systemic failures” by the Church of England.

Last week’s report by Judge Sally Cahill QC said Lord Hope of Thornes failed to follow policy and take advice after he was informed of complaints against Robert Waddington relating to boys in Manchester and Australia.

The judge outlined failures by the Church to respond properly to allegations of sex abuse against the late Robert Waddington, who was Dean of Manchester between 1984 and 1993.

She said Lord Hope’s actions meant “opportunities were missed” to start an investigation which may have led to a prosecution before Waddington’s death seven years ago.

In a statement, Lord Hope said: “After much prayerful and considered thought I wrote at the beginning of the week to the Bishop of Leeds and in the light of the Cahill Inquiry Report I have submitted my resignation as Honorary Assistant Bishop of Bradford, now West Yorkshire and the Dales, with immediate effect.

“This ends my nearly 50 years of formal ministry in the Church of England, which I have always sought to serve with dedication. I will certainly continue to pray for the important ongoing work with survivors.”

The current Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, said he was saddened by Lord Hope’s decision.

Dr Sentamu said: “I respect the prayerful decision made by my predecessor Lord David Hope. I am deeply saddened by his decision.”

In her report last week, Judge Cahill said: “We consider the failings of Lord Hope were cumulative over the period, and arose as a result of Lord Hope not following the Church’s policies and instead dealing with a child protection issue in what appears to have been the way he would deal with a disciplinary matter or complaint.”

Those who made allegations described abuse in Manchester, York, London, Carlisle and in Queensland, Australia.

Lord Hope stepped down as Archbishop of York in 2005 when he returned to being a parish priest in Ilkley.