AN Archbishop chose an inaugural Hexham Abbey sermon to challenge contemporary ‘macho’ attitudes and Bible passages which ‘excuse violence’ against women.

The Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell, delivered a powerful address to the ‘macho’ attitudes in society which, he said, can ‘ferment’ into violence against women.

He also cited various passages in the Bible, the effect of which, he said, “can be to condone and even promote the idea that male violence against women is acceptable,” adding that Jesus presents a positive role model for male behaviour.

Addressing a service to honour the survivors and victims of domestic violence, he continued: “We men need to be liberated from the conditioning, the ‘dis-ease’ and the insecurities that ferment into violence."

The Archbishop, who took up his post in July 2020, said it is up to men today to call out inappropriate behaviour. “It is men who need to change. It is men who need to repent. It is men who need to lead the way.”

The Archbishop was addressing the congregation at a special ‘White Ribbon’ service on Sunday, November 7 to remember victims of domestic homicide and honour all those affected by domestic abuse.

Female survivors spoke movingly during the service, which was followed by a question and answer session organised by White Ribbon UK - a charity which engages communities nationwide in its mission to end violence against women on our streets and in the nation’s homes.

The question and answer session was addressed by Frank Mullane MBE, whose sister Julia Pemberton was terrorised for many months by her husband before he shot her and their 17-year-old son William dead in 2003.

The service was supported by White Ribbon UK.