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Justin Welby urges General Synod to vote to ordain women Justin Welby urges General Synod to vote in favour of female bishops
(35 minutes later)
Justin Welby, the bishop of Durham, has urged the General Synod to vote in favour of landmark legislation allowing women to become bishops, as his appointment as the next archbishop of Canterbury was confirmed by Downing Street. Justin Welby, the bishop of Durham, has urged the General Synod to vote in favour of landmark legislation allowing women to become bishops as his appointment as the next archbishop of Canterbury was confirmed by Downing Street.
Speaking at his inaugural press conference as Rowan Williams's successor, the 56-year-old said he was "overwhelmed and surprised" to discover he had been offered the job as leader of the Church of England and figurehead of the Anglican communion. Speaking at his inaugural press conference as Rowan Williams's successor, the 56-year-old said he was "overwhelmed and surprised" to discover he had been offered the job of leader of the Church of England and figurehead of the Anglican communion.
And, while he said he was "utterly optimistic" about the church's future, he acknowledged that it faced challenges on the divisive issues of gay and women's rights. While he said he was "utterly optimistic" about the church's future, he acknowledged that it faced challenges on the divisive issues of gay and women's rights.
The synod, the church's parliament, is to vote later this month on whether or not to allow women entry to the episcopate, and campaigners for the change say they fear the vote could yet fail. The synod, the church's parliament, is to vote later this month on whether to allow women entry to the episcopate, and campaigners for the change say they fear they may lose.
"I will be voting in favour, and join my voice to many others in urging the synod to go forward with this change," said Welby, in a strong endorsement of their position."I will be voting in favour, and join my voice to many others in urging the synod to go forward with this change," said Welby, in a strong endorsement of their position.
On sexuality, the bishop said that prejudice would not be tolerated, while at the same time making clear his support for the church's opposition to same-sex marriage. "It is absolutely right for the state to define the rights and status of people cohabiting in different forms of relationships, including civil partnerships. We must have no truck with any form of homophobia, in any part of the church," he said.On sexuality, the bishop said that prejudice would not be tolerated, while at the same time making clear his support for the church's opposition to same-sex marriage. "It is absolutely right for the state to define the rights and status of people cohabiting in different forms of relationships, including civil partnerships. We must have no truck with any form of homophobia, in any part of the church," he said.
While it was important for the church to shoulder its responsibility to other countries in the Anglican communion such as Nigeria, he added, it was also essential that as archbishop he listened carefully to the point of view of gay believers. "... I also know I need to listen very attentively to the LGBT communities and examine my own thinking carefully and prayerfully," he said. "I am always averse to the language of exclusion, where what we are called to is to love in the same way that 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." While it was important for the church to shoulder its responsibility to other countries in the Anglican communion such as Nigeria, he added, it was also essential that as archbishop he listened carefully to the point of view of gay believers. "I also know I need to listen very attentively to the LGBT communities and examine my own thinking carefully and prayerfully," he said. "I am always averse to the language of exclusion, where what we are called to is to love in the same way that 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."
Welby, who was enthroned as a bishop last November, presented a jocular, relaxed face to the press as he appeared for the first time at Lambeth Palace, surrounded by the portraits of august archbishops past. He even said he was eager to convey thoughts from the throne of St Augustine via the medium of Twitter.Welby, who was enthroned as a bishop last November, presented a jocular, relaxed face to the press as he appeared for the first time at Lambeth Palace, surrounded by the portraits of august archbishops past. He even said he was eager to convey thoughts from the throne of St Augustine via the medium of Twitter.
He paid tribute to Williams as a man of "infectious spirituality" who he believed would one day be recognised "as one of the greatest archbishops of Canterbury". He added: "On the basis that you should only follow failures, this is a great mistake."He paid tribute to Williams as a man of "infectious spirituality" who he believed would one day be recognised "as one of the greatest archbishops of Canterbury". He added: "On the basis that you should only follow failures, this is a great mistake."
Williams, who steps down at the end of the year, returned the compliment, saying he was "delighted" at the appointment of a man by whom he had been "enriched and encouraged".Williams, who steps down at the end of the year, returned the compliment, saying he was "delighted" at the appointment of a man by whom he had been "enriched and encouraged".
"He has an extraordinary range of skills and is a person of grace, patience, wisdom and humour," said Williams. "He will bring to this office both a rich pastoral experience and a keen sense of international priorities, for church and world. I wish him – with Caroline and the family – every blessing, and hope that the Church of England and the Anglican communion will share my pleasure at this appointment and support him with prayer and love.""He has an extraordinary range of skills and is a person of grace, patience, wisdom and humour," said Williams. "He will bring to this office both a rich pastoral experience and a keen sense of international priorities, for church and world. I wish him – with Caroline and the family – every blessing, and hope that the Church of England and the Anglican communion will share my pleasure at this appointment and support him with prayer and love."
David Cameron, whose office formally announced the appointment on Friday morning, said Welby had been the "overwhelming choice" of the crown nominations commission (CNC), a body made up of clergy and laypeople. He added: "I think having someone who had a life outside the church in business, who understands difficult, complicated issues, will bring a great breath of fresh air to the Church of England."David Cameron, whose office formally announced the appointment on Friday morning, said Welby had been the "overwhelming choice" of the crown nominations commission (CNC), a body made up of clergy and laypeople. He added: "I think having someone who had a life outside the church in business, who understands difficult, complicated issues, will bring a great breath of fresh air to the Church of England."
Welby said that he had found out about his new job while rushing to a meeting, and had opened the letter from Cameron on the street. His immediate reaction, he said, was: "Oh, no."Welby said that he had found out about his new job while rushing to a meeting, and had opened the letter from Cameron on the street. His immediate reaction, he said, was: "Oh, no."
"I was chasing off to something last Friday, trying to put bits and pieces together for a meeting, most of which I've lost, and the phone went and I muttered something rude about phones and answered it, and the prime minister's appointment secretary said, 'We are at the moment writing to you; the Prime Minister is writing to you to offer you the see of Canterbury and the letter will get to you on Monday', which it duly did. It was handed to me outside Portcullis House in the street, so that was quite amusing. I opened it then and there, I'm afraid – never good at waiting for things. My initial reaction, I have to be absolutely honest, when he said what he said on the phone, my initial reaction was 'Oh, no', but I was just overwhelmed and surprised by it." "I was chasing off to something last Friday, trying to put bits and pieces together for a meeting, most of which I've lost, and the phone went and I muttered something rude about phones and answered it, and the prime minister's appointment secretary said, 'We are at the moment writing to you; the prime minister is writing to you to offer you the see of Canterbury and the letter will get to you on Monday', which it duly did. It was handed to me outside Portcullis House in the street, so that was quite amusing.
It has been confirmed that Welby, an Old Etonian who worked in the oil industry for 11 years, is to keep his place on the parliamentary inquiry into banking ethics, of which he has been a big part since the beginning of its work. Its chairman, Tory MP Andrew Tyrie, said he was "delighted" that Welby had decided to remain on the commission until it had produced its final report. "I opened it then and there, I'm afraid – never good at waiting for things. My initial reaction, I have to be absolutely honest, when he said what he said on the phone, my initial reaction was 'Oh, no', but I was just overwhelmed and surprised by it."
It has been confirmed that Welby, an Old Etonian who worked in the oil industry for 11 years, will keep his place on the parliamentary inquiry into banking ethics, of which he has been a big part since the beginning of its work. Its chairman, Tory MP Andrew Tyrie, said he was delighted that Welby had decided to remain on the commission until it had produced its final report.
Welby's appointment – the result of months of deliberations by the CNC – received widespread support on Friday from other bishops, including those believed to have been his rivals for the job.Welby's appointment – the result of months of deliberations by the CNC – received widespread support on Friday from other bishops, including those believed to have been his rivals for the job.
The archbishop of York, an early favourite, said Welby was a "man of God" and could count on his support in the "daunting office". John Sentamu also took the opportunity to hit out at the secretive appointment process, saying: "The tipsters and lobbyists' predictions can now return to silence. The archbishop of York, an early favourite, said Welby was a "man of God" and could count on his support in the "daunting office". John Sentamu also took the opportunity to hit out at the secretive appointment process, saying: "The tipsters' and lobbyists' predictions can now return to silence.
"The appointment of an archbishop is neither akin to a horse race nor a presidential campaign, and it is a relief that the rumour mill which has been grinding out misinformation has now ground to a halt." Welby made a joke of the furious speculation that pre-empted his official unveiling on Friday, quipping: "This is the best-kept secret since the last cabinet reshuffle." "The appointment of an archbishop is neither akin to a horse race nor a presidential campaign, and it is a relief that the rumour mill which has been grinding out misinformation has now ground to a halt."
The bishop of London, Richard Chartres, another church heavyweight who is believed to have been ruled out as a potential successor due both to his age and his reluctance to ordain women, said in a statement that Welby had "the gifts, the energy and the time to bring about the changes at the centre which the Church of England so urgently requires". Welby made a joke of the furious speculation that pre-empted his official unveiling, quipping: "This is the best-kept secret since the last cabinet reshuffle."
The bishop of London, Richard Chartres, another church heavyweight who is believed to have been ruled out as a potential successor because of his age and his reluctance to ordain women, said in a statement that Welby had "the gifts, the energy and the time to bring about the changes at the centre which the Church of England so urgently requires".
Welby will be enthroned as archbishop of Canterbury in Canterbury Cathedral on 21 March 2013. At the press conference, he paid tribute to the "unsung heroes" at the grassroots of the church, and said: "To be nominated to this post is both astonishing and exciting. It is something I never expected, and the last few weeks have been a very strange experience.Welby will be enthroned as archbishop of Canterbury in Canterbury Cathedral on 21 March 2013. At the press conference, he paid tribute to the "unsung heroes" at the grassroots of the church, and said: "To be nominated to this post is both astonishing and exciting. It is something I never expected, and the last few weeks have been a very strange experience.
"It is exciting because we are at one of those rare points where the tide of events is turning, and the church nationally, including the Church of England, has great opportunities to match its very great but often hidden strengths."It is exciting because we are at one of those rare points where the tide of events is turning, and the church nationally, including the Church of England, has great opportunities to match its very great but often hidden strengths.
"I feel a massive sense of privilege at being one of those responsible for the leadership of the church in a time of spiritual hunger, when our network of parishes and churches and schools and above all people means that we are facing the toughest issues in the toughest place.""I feel a massive sense of privilege at being one of those responsible for the leadership of the church in a time of spiritual hunger, when our network of parishes and churches and schools and above all people means that we are facing the toughest issues in the toughest place."