© Provided by The iStephen Cottrell said he didn't accept a separation between 'the church and politics' (Photo: David Davies/PA Wire)
The Church of England should be more involved in politics, the Archbishop of York has said.
Stephen Cottrell said he wants the church to take a bigger lead in a political climate in which "we've learned to accommodate things that we know are wrong".
The 62-year-old became Church of England's second most senior clergyman when he was enthroned in October, taking over from the retiring John Sentamu.
In an interview with The Observer, he said: "I simply don't accept a separation between the church and politics, faith and politics or, for that matter, anything and politics.
"It's about how we inhabit the world - and everybody and every organisation and every community has a voice and a stake."
Mr Cottrell spoke to the paper in advance of the publication this week of his book Dear England: Finding Hope, Taking Heart and Changing the World.
The father-of-three has been a longtime advocate for the church's participation in social causes. Since 2011, he has served as chair of the Board of Church Army, an organisation based in Sheffield committed to evangelism and social justice.
Mr Cottrell said he could not be part of a church which did not have a political voice, adding: "It's so much at the heart of what I believe to be the calling of the church. Loving your neighbour is a profoundly political statement.
"We've learned to accommodate things that we know are wrong, which it would be possible to do something about."
Earlier this month, the church stirred controversy when the Diocese of London publicly disavowed reverend Jarel Robinson-Brown over remarks about NHS fundraising hero Captain Sir Tom Moore.
Rev Robinson-Brown had said: "The cult of Captain Tom is a cult of White British Nationalism. I will offer prayers for the repose of his kind and generous soul, but I will not be joining the National Clap (in his memory)."
Additional reporting by Press Association