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Justin Welby named as next Archbishop of Canterbury | Justin Welby named as next Archbishop of Canterbury |
(35 minutes later) | |
The next Archbishop of Canterbury, the Rt Rev Justin Welby, says his appointment to the post is both "astonishing and exciting". | |
The current Bishop of Durham, 56, will become the 105th Archbishop of Canterbury and spiritual leader of the 77 million-strong Anglican Communion. | |
He replaces Rowan Williams who is retiring in December after 10 years. | |
He will take on the Church of England's most senior post at a ceremony at Canterbury Cathedral on 21 March 2013. | |
Prime Minister David Cameron confirmed Bishop Welby's appointment via Twitter. | |
His appointment follows much speculation and speaking at a press conference at Lambeth Palace he joked: "Well, that was the best-kept secret since the last cabinet reshuffle." | |
Bishop Welby said: "I don't think anyone could be more surprised than me at the outcome of this process. It has been an experience, reading more about me than I knew myself. To be nominated to Canterbury is at the same time overwhelming and astonishing. | |
"It is overwhelming because of those I follow, and the responsibility it has. It is astonishing because it is something I never expected to happen." | "It is overwhelming because of those I follow, and the responsibility it has. It is astonishing because it is something I never expected to happen." |
Bishop Welby addressed several controversial issues, including stating he would be voting in favour of ordaining women bishops in the Church of England, which has been a divisive issue in recent years. | |
The Most Reverend Rowan Williams said he was delighted by the appointment. | |
"I have had the privilege of working closely with him on various occasions and have always been enriched and encouraged by the experience," he said. | |
"He has an extraordinary range of skills and is a person of grace, patience, wisdom and humour. He will bring to this office both a rich pastoral experience and a keen sense of international priorities, for Church and world." | |
Special envoy | |
Bishop Welby was educated at Eton and Cambridge University, and then spent 11 years in the oil industry before studying theology at Durham. He was ordained in 1992. | Bishop Welby was educated at Eton and Cambridge University, and then spent 11 years in the oil industry before studying theology at Durham. He was ordained in 1992. |
He became Rector of Southam in 1995 and was later appointed canon residentiary of Coventry Cathedral. He left the area in 2007 when he was appointed Dean of Liverpool. | He became Rector of Southam in 1995 and was later appointed canon residentiary of Coventry Cathedral. He left the area in 2007 when he was appointed Dean of Liverpool. |
He took up the post of Bishop of Durham in November 2011 and worked as Rowan Williams' special envoy to Africa, attempting to build unity between Christian and Muslim communities in Nigeria. | He took up the post of Bishop of Durham in November 2011 and worked as Rowan Williams' special envoy to Africa, attempting to build unity between Christian and Muslim communities in Nigeria. |
Bishop Welby is regarded by observers as being on the evangelical wing of the Church, closely adhering to traditional interpretations of the Bible with a strong emphasis on making the Church outward-looking. | Bishop Welby is regarded by observers as being on the evangelical wing of the Church, closely adhering to traditional interpretations of the Bible with a strong emphasis on making the Church outward-looking. |
Even within the evangelical community, however, there are significant differences of outlook on questions of doctrine. | Even within the evangelical community, however, there are significant differences of outlook on questions of doctrine. |
The Crown Nominations Commission, which nominates two candidates to the prime minister, who then advises the Queen on the appointment, held a three-day meeting in September to consider the contenders to be the next archbishop, but no announcement followed. | The Crown Nominations Commission, which nominates two candidates to the prime minister, who then advises the Queen on the appointment, held a three-day meeting in September to consider the contenders to be the next archbishop, but no announcement followed. |
Dr Williams' successor will become the 105th Archbishop of Canterbury, and the nominal leader of 77 million Anglicans worldwide - though conservative Anglican provinces, especially in Africa, have been setting up alternative organisational structures of their own. | Dr Williams' successor will become the 105th Archbishop of Canterbury, and the nominal leader of 77 million Anglicans worldwide - though conservative Anglican provinces, especially in Africa, have been setting up alternative organisational structures of their own. |