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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 has set out his support for the ordination of women bishops, as his appointment was officially confirmed.The next Archbishop of Canterbury has set out his support for the ordination of women bishops, as his appointment was officially confirmed.
The Bishop of Durham, the Rt Rev Justin Welby, 56, said his appointment as the 105th Archbishop of Canterbury was "astonishing and exciting". The Bishop of Durham, the Rt Rev Justin Welby, 56, said his appointment was "astonishing and exciting".
On the issue of same-sex marriage he said he had to examine his own thinking "carefully and prayerfully".
He will take on the Church of England's most senior post at a ceremony at Canterbury Cathedral on 21 March 2013.He will take on the Church of England's most senior post at a ceremony at Canterbury Cathedral on 21 March 2013.
He replaces Rowan Williams who is retiring in December after 10 years. Bishop Welby will become the 105th Archbishop of Canterbury, replacing Rowan Williams who retires in December after 10 years in the role.
Commenting on the speculation that had preceded the announcement, Bishop Welby told a press conference at Lambeth Palace: "Well, that was the best-kept secret since the last cabinet reshuffle. At a press conference at Lambeth Palace on Friday, Bishop Welby said it was a time for "optimism and for faith" in the Church.
"It's something I never expected, and the last few weeks have been a rather strange experience, to put it mildly." His appointment comes as the Church of England faces controversial issues, including a vote in 10 days' time on ordaining women bishops.
He added: "One of the biggest challenges is to follow a man who I believe will be recognised as one of the greatest Archbishops of Canterbury, Rowan Williams."
Justin Welby's appearance was characterised by one very important quality - his steeliness.Justin Welby's appearance was characterised by one very important quality - his steeliness.
You could hear it in his voice as he spoke about the challenges facing the Church and what he hoped to bring to the table.You could hear it in his voice as he spoke about the challenges facing the Church and what he hoped to bring to the table.
And it was also apparent in the straightforward way he spoke about engaging with the gay community, and his clear backing for women bishops.And it was also apparent in the straightforward way he spoke about engaging with the gay community, and his clear backing for women bishops.
He very neatly dodged a question from me about conflict resolution in the Church, but also showed he had a sense of humour, telling journalists the difference between him and Rowan Williams was that he had a better barber - and razor.He very neatly dodged a question from me about conflict resolution in the Church, but also showed he had a sense of humour, telling journalists the difference between him and Rowan Williams was that he had a better barber - and razor.
Bishop Welby said it was a time for "optimism and for faith" in the church, which was facing controversial issues, including a vote in 10 days' time on ordaining women bishops in the Church of England. "I will be voting in favour and join my voice to many others in urging the senate to go forward with this change," he said.
"I will be voting in favour. And join my voice to many others in urging the senate to go forward with this change," he said. He also said the Church faced deep differences on the issue of same-sex marriage.
He said the church faced deep differences on the issue of same-sex marriage. He said he needed to listen carefully to the interested groups and examine his own thinking "carefully and prayerfully". "It is absolutely right for the state to define the rights and status of people cohabiting in different forms of relationships, including civil partnerships," he said.
"I am always averse to the language of exclusion, when what we are called to is to love in the same way as Jesus Christ loves us. Above all in the Church we need to create safe spaces for these issues to be discussed in honesty and in love," he said. "We must have no truck with any form of homophobia in any part of the Church. The Church of England is part of the worldwide church, and has responsibilities that come from those links. What the church does here deeply affects the already greatly suffering churches in places... like Nigeria."
The new Archbishop voiced his support for the Christian faith across the world, saying: "Anglicans today stand firm in faith alongside other Christians under pressure in many places, especially in northern Nigeria, a country which is deeply close to my heart." He added: "I am always averse to the language of exclusion, when what we are called to is to love in the same way as Jesus Christ loves us. Above all in the Church we need to create safe spaces for these issues to be discussed in honesty and in love."
'Extraordinary skills' He also said he was optimistic about the future of the Church.
"The Church will certainly get things wrong, I certainly will get things wrong. We will also get much right and do so already."
'Many gifts'
The Most Reverend Rowan Williams said he was delighted by the appointment.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."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.""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."
Prime Minister David Cameron, who confirmed Bishop Welby's appointment via Twitter, said he "wished him success in his new role".Prime Minister David Cameron, who confirmed Bishop Welby's appointment via Twitter, said he "wished him success in his new role".
The Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, who had been one of the other contenders for the post, described Bishop Welby as a clergyman with "many gifts and unique experience to bring to this daunting office".The Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, who had been one of the other contenders for the post, described Bishop Welby as a clergyman with "many gifts and unique experience to bring to this daunting office".
He said: "More importantly he, like Archbishop Rowan, is a man of God. I have been praying for him, will go on doing so with renewed vigour, and will continue to work with him as a brother and friend in Christ."He said: "More importantly he, like Archbishop Rowan, is a man of God. I have been praying for him, will go on doing so with renewed vigour, and will continue to work with him as a brother and friend in Christ."
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.