Latest news with #Archbishop
Telegraph
2 days ago
- Politics
- Telegraph
The curious case of the squatter archbishop
Justin Welby, former Archbishop of Canterbury, has finally left Lambeth Palace, I can disclose, months after formally standing down as Church of England primate. Welby resigned on January 6 over an alleged cover-up, but was allowed to stay at the palace as he did not own another home in the UK. He finally moved out last month. The two favourites to succeed him are Guli Francis-Dehqani, the Bishop of Chelmsford, and Graham Usher, the Bishop of Norwich. But we won't have a new 'ABC' until October, ahead of an enthronement in November. Catholics took a fortnight to choose a new Pope. Somerset showdown Are Brexiteers about to do battle in Somerset? A by-election is a possibility in North East Somerset. Former Tory MP Jacob Rees-Mogg is thought to be eyeing up the seat that he lost to Dan Norris at last July's election. But hold on! Arron Banks – the 'bad boy of Brexit' who funded Nigel Farage's 2016 referendum campaign – told me on GB News that he too is looking at standing (his home is five miles outside of the constituency). 'It will be a battle of the country house estates,' Bank tells me. Unless Rees-Mogg jumps ship to Reform, of course. Train to nowhere BBC political editor Chris Mason took the Caledonian Sleeper back from Glasgow after the Prime Minister's defence announcement this week, retiring to his bunk for the 400-mile journey after a dram in the buffet car. He tells me: 'In the small hours, drifting in and out of sleep, it did feel a remarkably smooth journey compared with my last nocturnal train odyssey'. He put it down to 'advances in rolling stock'. But he was awoken with a bang on the door at 5am. 'Morning gents,' said the guard. 'I'm afraid we are still in Glasgow. There's a tree down on the line.' Mason and his BBC team dashed to Edinburgh and made it back to Westminster for the late morning. 'It is all part of the rich tapestry of political reporting,' he says. 'And we got our money back.' Licence fee payers will be delighted. Swedish flag poles Reform UK wants Union flags to fly from its council flagpoles, but shouldn't the Foreign Office be doing its bit too? Whitehall credit card receipts show that David Lammy's department has just placed a £1,500 order for a new batch of miniature Union Jack flagpoles for official vehicles – from Gothenburg, Sweden. 'It is shocking,' says shadow foreign office minister Andrew Rosindell. 'Surely we should be supporting British flag manufacturers when it comes to purchasing flags of our own nation?' Farage's new limit The Spectator's resident magician Mark Mason hosted a quiz this week for the magazine's readers, asking: 'Nigel Farage has a self-imposed limit of how many pints, after which he won't let himself do live TV?' The answer, Mason said, is 'five'. But is that still the case? Farage, 60, tells me: 'Five was always the rule – but I was younger then!' Not even one for the road, Nigel? No queuing for Jezza Former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn was spotted last week marching past a queue waiting patiently for Left-wing senator Bernie Sanders at the Methodist Central Hall in Westminster. He entered by the hall's stage door. Was he queue-jumping? His aide tells: 'Bernie and his team invited him backstage beforehand.' Er, OK. Perhaps some Very Important Members of the Proletariat are more equal than others. Bookish popstar What do hard-living pop stars do when they enter they grow older? Nick Rhodes, 62, the perma-blond keyboardist in 1980s band Duran Duran, with Simon Le Bon and John Taylor, has accumulated a library of rare tomes. 'I collect fine antique books and have quite the collection,' he told me at Chelsea's Saatchi Gallery. 'It's not generally something I broadcast... With rare books I have my preferences but I'm not saying what they are. If the dealers know it's me they put the price up.' Imperial record Peterborough reader Jeremy Havard got in touch after I told how British Weights and Measures Association wants the Commonwealth Games to replace permanently the 1,500 metres with a mile-long race. Havard recounted how his late father John, president of the Cambridge University Athletics Club in the mid-1940s, broke the London University record for the 100 yards. He says. 'Three years later the decision was taken to change the event to 100 metres, which meant he remained the 'current record holder for 100 yards' in perpetuity.' Havard always included the record in his Who's Who entry. And why not? Peterborough, published every Friday at 7pm, is edited by Christopher Hope. You can reach him at peterborough@
Sky News
2 days ago
- Politics
- Sky News
Archbishop of Canterbury job advert goes live – and for the first time they could be a woman
A job description for the next Archbishop of Canterbury has gone live, seeking a leader with the "utmost integrity" - and, for the first time in the church's history, they could be a woman. Justin Welby left the vacancy in January after resigning following a damning review into the Church of England 's handling of a sexual abuse scandal. The archbishop is the most senior bishop and is the spiritual leader of the church and worldwide Anglican Communion. This week, a so-called 'statement of needs' was published by the Diocese of Canterbury, setting out a long list of requirements for the 106th archbishop. These include: A person with "theological depth" who is a strong communicator with people of all ages and backgrounds; Someone of the "utmost integrity who is able to speak honestly" about issues and injustices in the church; A "servant leader who shows compassion towards the disadvantaged and marginalised"; Being "unapologetic about offering a Christian perspective to local, national, and international dialogue"; A willingness to ordain and consecrate both men and women, support the ministry of both, and may themselves be male or female; Having previously "worked, and will continue to work constructively" around ongoing discussions around blessing services for same-sex couples, but also someone who can "embrace" both those who support and oppose same-sex marriage in the church. Women have been ordained in the Church of England for a number of years, but no woman has ever been in the top role. Candidates have historically already held senior leadership roles. They must be at least 30 years old - and generally younger than 70. Typically, rather than applying, candidates are "invited" to take part in the process. Earlier this year, a public consultation with over 11,000 people took place to give people the opportunity to submit candidates and desirable qualities. It is thought the candidate could be announced by the autumn, a year after Mr Welby resigned from the job. Mr Welby announced he was stepping down in November 2024 following failures in handling a church abuse scandal involving barrister and religious camp leader John Smyth QC. He is thought to be the most prolific abuser associated with the church.
The Independent
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Independent
Church reveals Archbishop of Canterbury job advert
The Church of England is seeking a new Archbishop of Canterbury to replace Justin Welby, who resigned in November due to a Church abuse scandal. The job description specifies the candidate must have "utmost integrity", be able to address issues affecting vulnerable people, and possibly be a woman, which would be a first for the role. The Crown Nominations Commission (CNC) is responsible for nominating the new Archbishop and aims to announce a nomination by autumn, following public consultations involving over 11,000 people. The chosen candidate should possess theological depth, be a good communicator, show compassion, and offer a Christian perspective on various dialogues, while also supporting the ministry of both women and men. The new Archbishop must navigate divisive issues such as same-sex marriage, embracing diverse views within the Church, and constructively engaging in ongoing discussions about blessing services for same-sex couples.
Washington Post
25-05-2025
- Politics
- Washington Post
Archbishop criticizes Argentine President Milei's austerity policies during religious ceremony
MEXICO CITY — The Archbishop of Buenos Aires fiercely criticized Argentine President Javier Milei during a religious ceremony the leader attended Sunday, saying that under the government's harsh policies 'fraternity, tolerance and respect are dying.' Milei, a libertarian and staunch ally of President Donald Trump, has implemented austerity policies, a sort of fiscal shock therapy, in an attempt to reign in painfully high inflation in the South American nation. But the policies have also left poverty rates soaring and fueled waves of protests, which in some cases have been met with a violent response by police .
Daily Mail
17-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Iranian-born refugee could become the first woman to head the Church of England
An Iranian-born refugee could become the first female Archbishop of Canterbury. The Rt Rev Guli Francis-Dehqani – who arrived in the UK when she was 13 – last night emerged as an early frontrunner to succeed Justin Welby in the role. Currently the Bishop of Chelmsford, bookies Ladbrokes and Star Sports have Dr Francis-Dehqani as the early favourite to become the first woman in the post in its 1,428-year history. She would become the 106th spiritual leader of the Church of England. Her Christian family fled Iran after they were persecuted amid the imposition of strict Islamic rule in the 1970s. Dr Francis-Dehqani was ordained in 1999 and served as Bishop of Loughborough from 2017 to 2021 before taking up her current post four years ago. An outspoken opponent of successive governments' immigration policy, she is one of five women among the bookies' favourites to become the leader of the Church. Last week, she criticised Keir Starmer's controversial 'island of strangers' immigration speech, saying: 'In the churches and different communities I am part of, we are not an 'island of strangers'. 'Migrants are not strangers but friends who fully participate and contribute as we worship, serve and live life together.' The next Archbishop of Canterbury is expected to be appointed by the autumn.
