Justin Welby calls for greater Anglican Communion say in selection of successor

From ACNS-

The Primates of the Anglican Communion should have a greater say in the appointments of future Archbishops of Canterbury, the current Archbishop, Justin Welby, said today. Archbishop Welby made his comments during a debate at the Church of England’s General Synod on the working of the Crown Nominations Commission (CNC) – the body that recommends appointments to diocesan bishoprics. Appointments of bishops in the Church of England are made by the Queen, as Supreme Governor of the Church, who acts on the advice of the CNC.

The CNC is usually chaired by the Archbishop of Canterbury or York, dependent upon the province of the vacancy. Its membership includes central members nominated by the General Synod, and diocesan members, nominated by the diocese in which the vacancy occurs. In the case of the Archbishop of Canterbury, the CNC is chaired by an independent lay member of the Church of England, appointed by the British Prime Minister. And a Primate of the Anglican Communion is selected to join the Commission. Today, Archbishop Welby suggested that in future, the Communion should be represented by five Primates – one from each region.
More here-

http://www.anglicannews.org/news/2018/02/justin-welby-calls-for-greater-anglican-communion-involvement-in-selection-of-archbishops-of-canterbury.aspx

Archbishops offer evangelism advice — with a catch

From The Church Times-

THE object of evangelism is not to “squeeze” people into church, a new booklet from the Archbishops’ task group says.

The 24-page booklet, Evangelism for the Local Church, is being sent to every diocese with a message from the two Archbishops: “This isn’t an off-the-shelf programme that guarantees a full church.” Instead, following the suggestions in the booklet would lead, they say, to “the renewal of those taking part”.

The booklet, which grows out of the Thy Kingdom Come prayer initiative, describes evangelism as a four-stage “virtuous circle”.

Contact: “the initial relationships — probably already existing — of those God has brought into your path.” Nurture: “an intentional investment in specific events that seek to grow the initial contact”. Commitment: “the specific issuing of the invitation to people to follow Jesus Christ”. Growth: “the development of the faith that has begun. In this way a person is grafted into the community of faith.”

The booklet warns against traditional approaches to evangelism: “Too often we ask how we can get more people to come to church. But we mustn’t start with church and then wonder how to squeeze people in. We must start with people, with their questions and needs.

More here-

https://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2017/1-december/news/uk/archbishops-offer-evangelism-advice-with-a-catch

How the remains of five 'missing' Archbishops of Canterbury were found by accident

From The Telegraph (last spring but still interesting)

It is a perfect Easter story – except, unlike Jesus’s empty tomb after the Resurrection, this tomb is crammed with the remains of former Archbishops of Canterbury.

Last year, during the refurbishment of the Garden Museum, which is housed in a deconsecrated medieval parish church next to Lambeth Palace, the Archbishop of Canterbury’s official London residence, builders made the chance discovery of a lifetime: a cache of 30 lead coffins that had lain undisturbed for centuries.

Closer inspection revealed metal plates bearing the names of five former Archbishops of Canterbury, going back to the early 1600s.

Building site managers, Karl Patten and Craig Dick, made their discovery by chance as the former chancel at St Mary-at-Lambeth was being converted into an exhibition space. Stripping out some York stone to even out the precarious paving, and enable disabled access to the old altar, they accidentally cut a six-inch diameter hole in the chancel floor – and noticed a hidden chamber beneath.

More here-

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/men/thinking-man/remains-five-missing-archbishops-canterbury-found-accident/?WT.mc_id=tmg_share_fb

Remains of five 'lost' Archbishops of Canterbury found

From The BBC-

The remains of five Archbishops of Canterbury have been found beneath a medieval parish church next to Lambeth Palace, the Archbishop of Canterbury's official London residence.

Builders renovating the Garden Museum, housed at the deconsecrated church of St Mary-at-Lambeth, found a hidden crypt containing 30 lead coffins.

Site manager Karl Patten said: "We discovered numerous coffins - and one of them had a gold crown on top of it".

The remains date back to the 1660s.

Mr Patten, from the building contractors Rooff, said his team were exposing the ground, lifting the flagstones in the church, when they uncovered an entry to what looked like a tomb.

More here-

http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-39613462?SThisFB

A Very Small Eulogy for an Archbishop

From Patheos-

William Laud was born on this day in 1573. The Anglican communion dedicates the 10th of January, the date of his death (by beheading), as a feast.

William Laud eventually rose to the rank of Archbishop of Canterbury and was the close advisor to King Charles the first. What makes him important to remember is how he was central in the establishment of what would become the High Church party in the Church of England, and eventually the Anglo-Catholic movement. He is known for many things, additionally, including as a relentless enforcer of his reforms of the reformed church. This included active persecution of the Puritans, which stained his memory. Along the way he made more than his share of enemies, and as the Civil War was warming up was imprisoned on trumped up charges by the Long Parliament. Finally, in the midst of the Civil War, he was executed.

More here-

http://www.patheos.com/blogs/monkeymind/2016/10/a-very-small-eulogy-for-an-archbishop.html

Becket, the Man and the Myth

From The New York Times-

Sacred relics may not have the mystical power they had in a less secular past, but the return to Britain from Hungary of one of the few surviving fragments of bone from Thomas Becket, the murdered “meddlesome priest” of hagiography, literature, stage and screen, still commands considerable attention. As the Anglican bishop of London, Richard Chartres, noted at a service attended by Anglicans and Catholics, Britons and Hungarians, the 12th-century cleric “teaches us to consider what are the historic roots of European unity.”

That message was especially pertinent to the countries involved. Hungary, where the relic has been for 800 years, is now led by a prime minister, Viktor Orban, who promotes a blend of nationalism, populism and Euroskepticism that flies in the face of the values represented by the European Union. And Britain is nearing a referendum on whether to stay in the union.

More here-

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/29/opinion/becket-the-man-and-the-myth.html?_r=0

Thomas Becket relic arrives at Westminster Abbey as pilgrimage continues

From Irish News-

A relic of Thomas Becket, returning to England for the first time in 800 years, arrived at Westminster Abbey as a week-long commemoration of the martyr continues.

The fragment of bone, believed to come from the murdered archbishop's arm, was held by the Basilica of Esztergom in Hungary.

At the start of a seven-day "pilgrimage" to Canterbury Cathedral, where he was murdered in 1170, Becket's relic was received at Westminster Cathedral in London by Cardinal Vincent Nichols before mass was celebrated.

Throughout the week, senior clerics from the Anglican and Roman Catholic churches have been conducting a series of services.

More here-

http://www.irishnews.com/lifestyle/faithmatters/2016/05/26/news/thomas-becket-relic-arrives-at-westminster-abbey-as-pilgrimage-continues-530501/

Rowan Williams: I didn't really want to be Archbishop

From The Telegraph-


Rowan Williams is a changed man. He was weary and weighed down towards the end of his time as Archbishop of Canterbury, wounded by the press and exhausted by the effort of trying to hold together a Church tearing itself apart.

Today he is warm, welcoming and even seems to be walking taller at his surprisingly modern home in the grounds of Magdalene College, Cambridge, where he is Master. Is this life easier? “Yes,” he says, laughing. “What do you think?”

There are no acolytes or spin doctors surrounding him here as there were at Lambeth. He is just a priest, alone in a black clerical shirt, smiling through a bushy white beard, eyes glinting under those famous eyebrows as he pours the tea.

More here-

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/features/10789740/Rowan-Williams-I-didnt-really-want-to-be-Archbishop.htmlc

Justin Welby makes great strides, but his greatest challenge is yet to come

From The Telegraph-

It could have been like one of those moments in a country parish where a trendy new vicar rolls up with plans to rip out the Victorian pews to make way for a drum-kit and an overhead projector. The arrival of Justin Welby, a former businessman whose brand of Christianity is marked with the zeal of the convert, as the 105th Archbishop of Canterbury had the potential to ruffle more than a few feathers in the established Church.

Within months of his enthronement, a year ago today, he seemed on course to do just that. He had overhauled his staff, with a series of new appointments. He had persuaded rival factions to take part in something akin to drama therapy sessions to confront their differences over women bishops, and he had delivered a blistering address to the General Synod on how it needed to face up to a sexual “revolution”.

But a year into the job – which combines the work of a medieval prelate, a FTSE chief executive and a world-weary inner-city rector – he has scored a series of successes that would have seemed unthinkable in the past. After decades of argument and years of tortuous legislative twists and turns, the Church of England is on the brink of finally approving the admission of women into the episcopate.

More here-

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/religion/10711762/Justin-Welby-makes-great-strides-but-his-greatest-challenge-is-yet-to-come.html

Anglican Head Justin Welby Reveals Night in College He Became a Believer

From Christian Post-

The Most Rev. Justin Welby, the head of the 80 million-strong Anglican Communion, shared in a recent interview about the night in college when he first really felt God's presence and became a believer.

Welby "vaguely assumed there was a God" before the night in question on Oct. 12, 1975, at Trinity College, Cambridge. "But I didn't believe. I wasn't interested at all," he said in an interview with The Telegraph while recalling the path that eventually led him to lead the Church of England.

According to The Telegraph, Welby said he felt "a clear sense of something changing, the presence of something that had not been there before in my life" while praying with a friend. "I said to my friend, 'Please don't tell anyone about this,' because I was desperately embarrassed that this had happened to me, like getting measles,'" he told the publication.

Welby noted that there are different ways a person can come to God, and that a personal conversation experience is not necessary. "Absolutely not. There is an incredible range of ways in which the Spirit works. It doesn't matter how you get there. It really does quite matter where you are," the spiritual leader of the Anglican Communion said

Read more at

http://global.christianpost.com/news/anglican-head-justin-welby-reveals-night-in-college-he-became-a-believer-100188/#WyApLtvATrxOOiRT.99

Archbishop Justin Welby: 'I was embarrassed. It was like getting measles'

From The Telegraph-

'It’s such a lovely day, let’s go into the garden,” says the Archbishop of Canterbury. Carrying a tray heavy with coffee cups, he leads us down the wide steps of Lambeth Palace round to its wider lawns. Justin Welby is the fourth Archbishop I have met in this place; though new in the job, he is by far the most relaxed.

He answers everything with the same directness. Since he is an evangelical, I ask him whether he can speak “in tongues” – the “charismatic” spiritual gift recorded in the New Testament. Oh yes, he says, almost as if he had been asked if he plays tennis, “It’s just a routine part of spiritual discipline – you choose to speak and you speak a language that you don’t know. It just comes. Bramble! Go and find Peter [the Welbys’ second son, one of five living children, and brother of Johanna, who died in a car crash as a baby], you idiot!” The last bit of these remarks is addressed to his exuberant six-month-old Clumber spaniel who has rushed up to him.

I am amazed. I first saw this man 40 years ago, when we were both pupils at Eton. Later, I was with him at Trinity College, Cambridge. He was the shyest, most unhappy-looking boy you could imagine. Now he is 105th in the line that began with St Augustine. He seems to be loving it. I remark on the change, and he agrees. “That’s something to do with the Christian faith,” he says.

More here-

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/religion/10176190/Archbishop-Justin-Welby-I-was-embarrassed.-It-was-like-getting-measles.html

Anglican leader visiting the Holy Land

From Fox-

The leader of the world's Anglicans is to make a five-day visit to Egypt, Israel, Jordan and the Palestinian Territories from Sunday, his office said.

Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, the spiritual leader of the Church of England, was to meet with religious leaders, visit holy sites and see community projects, said Lambeth Palace.
It will be his first visit to the Holy Land since his enthronement in March as leader of the world's 80 million Anglicans.

The trip comes after Welby visited Rome on June 14 and met with Pope Francis for the first time, amid efforts to reconcile Anglicans and Roman Catholics.

"Archbishop Justin is making this trip early in his ministry because of the significance of the region, the importance of the relationships that his office has there, and because he is keenly aware of the particular pressures on the region at the moment -- not least the devastating conflict in Syria, and its impact more widely," Lambeth Palace said in a statement.

Read more:

http://www.foxnews.com/world/2013/06/22/anglican-leader-visiting-holy-land/#ixzz2X2HauZhJ

Archbishop Justin Welby: The 'muscular Christian’ setting a fine example to his flock

From The Telegraph-

We are used to the idea of the Archbishop of Canterbury as an elderly man swathed in vestments, sandals and a beard. Which is why the latest picture of the most senior man in the Anglican Church took a while to absorb. Here was Justin Welby wearing a T-shirt, shorts and running shoes, going for a jog along the streets around Lambeth Palace.

For a 57-year-old asthmatic, he looked pretty trim. He certainly seemed in better fettle than George Osborne, 15 years his junior and at least 15 pounds his senior – one of many politicians who inflict their sweating, corporeal forms on those enjoying the peace and quiet in St James’s Park.

There was no wobble on Welby. Indeed, the Archbishop appeared to have a bit of spiritual zip in his feet as he dashed along the Thames: “They shall run, and not be weary,” as Isaiah said.

His predecessor, Rowan Williams, spent his evenings translating Welsh poetry. George Carey listed walking (note the lack of breaking of sweat) as his pastime in Who’s Who. Robert Runcie’s hobby was keeping pigs.

But the pictures of Welby are the latest evidence that the Archbish is refreshingly down to earth and shares many of the pastimes of his flock. A Lambeth Palace spokesman was coy about his exercise routine, but confirmed that running a few times a week is among his favoured diversions.

More here-

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/religion/10103349/Archbishop-Justin-Welby-The-muscular-Christian-setting-a-fine-example-to-his-flock.html

Archbishop of Canterbury 'should intervene in Dean dispute'

From The BBC

The Archbishop of Canterbury has been asked to help reconcile Jersey's Dean and the Diocese of Winchester.

The Dean, the Very Reverend Bob Key, was suspended by the Bishop of Winchester over his handling of a vulnerable adult's complaint he was abused by a churchwarden.

Archbishop Justin Welby said he would not intervene in the bishop's handling of the situation.

Senator Philip Bailhache said the move could hit island and church relations.

'Christians concerned'

The Bishop of Winchester, Tim Dakin, withdrew Mr Key's commission in March.

It followed the publication of a diocesan report which found failures in the implementation of policies relating to a complaint by a vulnerable adult parishioner in 2008 about the alleged abusive behaviour of a churchwarden.

More here-

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-jersey-22142529

After Catholic Cardinals Elect Pope Francis, Anglican Bishops Name Justin Welby Archbishop of Canterbury

From International Business Times-

Besides the Roman Catholic Church that elected a new leader in March with Argentinean Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio emerging as Pope Francis, another Christian religion just picked a new leader. Anglican bishops enthroned Archbishop Justin Welby as the Archbishop of Canterbury on March 21.

He replaced Dr. Rowan Williams who moved on to an academic post.

Ironically, both newly installed leaders of major Christian sects had other careers before they followed another path. Archbishop Welby, 57, used to be an oil executive and was ordained only in 1989. Pope Francis worked as a chemist and even has a master's degree in Chemistry.

However, one difference between them is the global attention that the papal conclave and inaugural mass attracted, while the Anglican church event was hardly noticed in the press, prompting one letter writer to The Washington Post to point out the differences in publicity generated.

More here-

http://au.ibtimes.com/articles/453419/20130404/catholic-cardinals-elect-pope-francis-anglican-bishops.htm#.UV1iXL9Oyp0

Welby the pilgrim takes his turn in the Chair of Augustine

From The Church Times-

THE Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Revd Justin Portal Welby, was enthroned in Canterbury Cathedral on Thursday of last week, in a service that combined tradition with modern reminders of his international position in the Anglican Communion.

Great emphasis was placed during the service on the relationship between the Anglican Church and its ecumenical partners. And, although the African element constituted only one element of the service, its colourful impact made it one of the most memorable.

The service, which was billed as "the inauguration of the ministry of the 105th Archbishop of Canterbury" rather than an enthronement, was preceded by processions lasting 50 minutes. Among the congregation were the Prince of Wales, representing the Queen, and the Duchess of Cornwall. The Government was represented by the Prime Minister and other prominent figures such as the Home Secretary, Theresa May, and the Lord Chancellor, Chris Grayling. The Leader of the Opposi-tion, Ed Miliband, also attended.

Civic dignitaries from the city and county were there in force, led by the Lord Lieutenant, Lord De L'Isle. The Lord Mayor of Canterbury was re- splendent in gold braid and feathered tricorn hat, as he processed behind the sword and mace of the city.

More here-

http://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2013/28-march/news/uk/welby-the-pilgrim-takes-his-turn-in-the-chair-of-augustine

Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby

From PBS (with video)

KIM LAWTON, managing editor: In a ceremony filled with pomp and pageantry, Justin Welby was installed as the new spiritual leader to nearly 80 million Anglicans around the world. The 57-year-old Welby is a former oil company executive who became a priest in his mid-30s. He had been a bishop for just a year when he was chosen for the Anglican Communion’s highest post. One of his toughest challenges may be helping the Communion stay together amid profound differences over theology, gender, and sexuality. The Anglican body has more than 40 separate branches, including the Church of England, the Episcopal Church in the US, and numerous churches across Africa, Asia, and South America.

ARCHBISHOP JUSTIN WELBY (Archbishop of Canterbury): We are struggling with very, very significant divisions, different ways of looking at the world coming out of our context, coming out of our history, and learning how we deal with those differences, which are of themselves valuable things, is really significant.

LAWTON: Welby told me as archbishop he intends to promote reconciliation as one of his top priorities.

WELBY: It is the key theological concept for Christian faith, reconciliation with God and the breaking down of barriers between people. And therefore for me, I have this sense that part of the church’s role is to be reconciled reconcilers.

More here-

http://www.pbs.org/wnet/religionandethics/episodes/march-22-2013/archbishop-of-canterbury-justin-welby/15308/

Archbishop Welby's enthronement sermon

From The Church Times-

TO EACH one of us, whoever and wherever we are,  joining us from far away by television of radio, or here in the Cathedral, Jesus calls through the storms and darkness of life and says "Take heart, it is I, do not be afraid".

Our response to those words sets the pattern for our lives, for the church, for the whole of society. Fear imprisons us and stops us being fully human. Uniquely in all of human history Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is the one who as living love liberates holy courage.

"If it is you tell me to come to you on the water" Peter says, and Jesus replies "come". History does not relate what the disciples thought about getting out of a perfectly serviceable boat, but Peter was right, and they were wrong. The utterly absurd is completely reasonable when Jesus is the one who is calling. Courage is liberated, and he gets out of the boat, walks a bit, and then fails. Love catches him, gently sets him right, and in a moment they are both in the boat and there is peace. Courage failed, but Jesus is stronger than failure.

The fear of the disciples was reasonable. People do not walk on water, but this person did. For us to trust and follow Christ is reasonable if He is what the disciples end up saying He is; "truly you are the Son of God". Each of us now needs to heed His voice calling to us, and to get out of the boat and go to Him. Because even when we fail, we find peace and hope and become more fully human than we can imagine: failure forgiven, courage liberated, hope persevering, love abounding.

More here-

http://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2013/22-march/news/uk/archbishop-welbys-enthronement-sermon

African dancers, bongo drums and a Punjabi hymn... the oh-so modern arrival of Britain's new Archbishop

From the Daily Mail (lots of photos and a video)

Habemus Cantaur, as they might say in Rome. Days after the installation of the latest Bishop of Rome, Canterbury yesterday enthroned its own new Archbishop in a service whose vaulting ceremonial accommodated bongo drums, a Punjabi melody – and suppressed giggles from the Duchess of Cornwall.

It was a quintessentially Anglican do with wedding hats, thunder rolls of organ and splodges of political correctness.

Enter processions with crucifers and taperers, lay clerks, sheriffs, the ceremonarius, a whole arsenal of canons. There were various virgers, vesturers aplenty, and a dean as damp and kindly as Sergeant Wilson from Dad’s Army.

David Cameron and (atheist) Edward Miliband sat beside one other. Speaker Bercow had brought along his pretty young trainbearer.

Cabinet minister Chris Grayling was there in his guise and garb as Lord Chancellor, looking a bit like third herald in the Christmas panto at Canterbury’s Marlowe Theatre.

We also had African dancers. It was they who set off Camilla, sitting beside the Prince of Wales.
The African chaps came jiving past in the middle of the service, twirling, yoo-be-dooing, their knees bouncing as high as blokes walking on a hot beach. Yeowww, bro’, that sand is hot!

Who can blame Camilla? Her lips did a crumple, the shoulders started to shake and if she had been drinking soup she might have done the nose trick.

The 105th Archbishop, Justin Welby, wanted this to be known as his ‘inaugural service’ but enthronement was indisputably the word when he sat in the ancient cathedra Augustini – the physical, marble Chair of Augustine, which may date to the 6th century.

He looked the part in it and his clear, strong voice bespoke a man at ease with the tasks ahead.
Read more-

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2297267/African-dancers-bongo-drums-Punjabi-hymn--oh-modern-arrival-Britains-new-Archbishop.html?ito=feeds-newsxml

Justin Welby enthroned as new archbishop of Canterbury

From The Guardian-

Justin Portal Welby's long and unlikely journey from young oil executive to leader of the world's 77 million Anglicans ended with three slow and echoing taps on the west door of Canterbury Cathedral on Thursday afternoon.

The knocking of his pastoral staff was answered with a fanfare – and a self-inflicted inquisition.

"We greet you in the name of Christ," said Evangeline Kanagasooriam, a 17-year-old Anglican chosen to hail the new archbishop by putting to him a list of questions he himself had penned for the occasion. "Who are you and why do you request entry?"

The archbishop replied: "I am Justin, a servant of Jesus Christ, and I come as one seeking the grace of God, to travel with you in this service together."

Before a congregation of 2,000 people, among them the Prince of Wales, the Duchess of Cornwall, the prime minister and representatives of all the world's major religions, the 105th Archbishop of Canterbury explained, slowly and humbly, that he had come to proclaim the love of Christ, to worship him and to love him.

"I come knowing nothing except Jesus Christ and him crucified, and in weakness and fear and much in trembling," he added.

More here-

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2013/mar/21/justin-welby-archbishop-of-canterbury-enthroned