Latest news with #CrownNominationsCommission
Spectator
25-05-2025
- Politics
- Spectator
The mystifying process – and problems – behind choosing the next Archbishop of Canterbury
After Pope Francis died, it took the Roman Catholic Church just 17 days to choose a successor in Pope Leo XIV. It has been well over 6 months since Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby resigned and we are only just making sense of those chosen to sit on the Crown Nominations Commission (CNC), that will recommend his successor. Even then, it's unlikely we will know more until the autumn. Why has it taken so long? Journalist, commentator – and quite frankly expert – Andrew Graystone joins Damian Thompson and William Moore, the Spectator's features editor, to take listeners through the process. From committees to choose committees and confusion about the rules, as William comments, even acclaimed Conclave writer Robert Harris would struggle to make a fast-paced and riveting story out of the Anglican succession. That's not to say there isn't plenty of intrigue though: from bishops effectively ruling themselves out, to opaque appointments, and even a former head of M15 appointed to lead the CNC. Andrew, Damian and William discuss the process, the problems plaguing it and unpack those in contention to be the next Primate of All England. The chosen successor will ultimately lead the third largest Christian communion, with around 100 million members worldwide, and play a prominent role in British society with a seat in the House of Lords and as a spiritual advisor to King and country – no pressure. Produced by Patrick Gibbons.
NZ Herald
14-05-2025
- Business
- NZ Herald
Māori Anglican reverend Isaac Beach selected to help choose new Archbishop of Canterbury
Beach is one of those five. He is ordained as Deacon in the Diocese of Te Tairawhiti and joins a Palestinian archbishop, an Argentinian engineer, and a Ghanaian economics professor on the committee. He told the Herald today that he couldn't comment on his appointment, and the Anglican Church would release a statement. The Canterbury Crown Nominations Commission comprises a combination of clergy and laypeople. Beach is an entrepreneur and runs a social enterprise business making plant-based food from hemp seeds as an eco-friendly farming initiative in the Hawke's Bay He established Kanapu Hempery Ltd in 2017 to support Aotearoa's transition to less carbon-intensive plant-based alternatives derived from hemp. Beach encourages Māori participation in business, and supports the progress of the climate change movement within the political structures of the Anglican Church in New Zealand. The Chair of the Crown Nominations Commission - who will ultimately make the appooitment - is Lord (Jonathan) Evans, a former director of the British Secret Service. He said: 'Helping to choose the next Archbishop of Canterbury is both a great responsibility and a privilege. The Crown Nominations Commission understands the weight of this important decision and we pray for God's hand on the process. 'I thank those who have taken part in the public consultation across the country and the Anglican Communion, helping us to establish the gifts, skills and qualities required in the next Archbishop. 'Do please keep the CNC process in your prayers as we seek to discern who God is calling to this important ministry.'
Times
13-05-2025
- Politics
- Times
Maori priest to help pick next Archbishop of Canterbury
A Palestinian archbishop, a Maori priest, an Argentinian engineer and a Ghanaian economics professor are among those who will choose the next Archbishop of Canterbury. Eight men and six women have so far been named to sit on the committee that will select the next spiritual leader of the Church of England, which includes the largest-ever contingent from outside of England. Five out of 17 voters on the Crown Nominations Commission (CNC) come from non-English churches in the international Anglican communion, up from just one out of 16 when Justin Welby was nominated in 2012. • The Sunday Times View: Christianity is at a crossroads but its values will endure The CNC will meet in May, July and September, drawing up shortlists and carrying out
Telegraph
13-05-2025
- Politics
- Telegraph
Church of England ‘can learn a lot from speedy Pope election'
Mr Vickers said: 'Perhaps the Catholic Church have got something to teach the Church of England in the speed that they appoint their head. 'We desperately need a head of the Church of England at this time, and that it takes a year to come up with a candidate is staggering.' His comments came as the Church of England announced the central members and Anglican Communion representatives of the Canterbury Crown Nominations Commission (CNC). The CNC is the body charged with nominating the new archbishop. Its membership was expected to be known in March, but there appear to have been delays in the selection of representatives from the diocese of Canterbury. On Tuesday, the Church confirmed the Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell – currently the most senior bishop in the Church – will be among the voting members, alongside Graham Usher, the Bishop of Norwich. It had already been confirmed that the commission would be chaired by Lord Evans of Weardale – a former director-general of the MI5 security service. Candidates for the new archbishop have to be at least 30 years old, and are generally younger than 70. A nomination cannot be made unless it has the support of two-thirds of the total number of CNC voting members in a secret ballot. 'We pray for God's hand' The commission is expected to have its first meeting later this month. At least two further meetings will follow in July and September. It is expected there could be an announcement on a nomination for the 106th archbishop of Canterbury by autumn – a year after Mr Welby announced his resignation. He said on Nov 12 2024 that he was to stand down following failures in handling an abuse scandal involving barrister and Christian camp leader John Smyth – thought to be the most prolific abuser associated with the Church. More than 11,000 people took part in February and March in a public consultation for the next archbishop of Canterbury – aimed at giving people the chance to influence the future of leadership within the Church, by submitting both names and the qualities they think are required. Lord Evans said: 'Helping to choose the next archbishop of Canterbury is both a great responsibility and a privilege. 'The Crown Nominations Commission understands the weight of this important decision and we pray for God's hand on the process. 'I thank those who have taken part in the public consultation across the country and the Anglican Communion, helping us to establish the gifts, skills and qualities required in the next archbishop.'
The Independent
13-02-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Archbishop of York apologises for ever ‘unintentionally influencing voting'
The Archbishop of York has apologised to the Church of England's parliament for ever 'completely unintentionally' having been thought to influence voting in the selection of a new bishop. Stephen Cottrell last month rejected allegations that he bullied members of a committee to secure the appointment of a man who later quit amid media coverage of sexual assault and harassment allegations against him. John Perumbalath stepped down as Bishop of Liverpool, without any admission of fault or liability, after Channel 4 News reported that one woman had accused him of kissing her without consent and groping her, and another accused him of sexual harassment. If sometimes I have - I would say completely unintentionally - been thought of to influence the vote in any way, I publicly apologise for that Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell The second complainant identified herself as Bishop of Warrington Beverley Mason. A news report from someone who sat on the committee which met in 2022 to discuss the Bishop of Liverpool appointment claimed Mr Cottrell and Bishop of Oxford Steven Croft had coerced other members to change their vote despite safeguarding concerns about Mr Perumbalath. At the time a spokesperson for Mr Cottrell said: 'The Archbishop of York and Bishop of Oxford categorically reject any suggestion of coercion or bullying during a Crown Nominations Commission (CNC).' Addressing the Church's General Synod on Thursday, Mr Cottrell paid tribute to those he has served on committees with but acknowledged 'it hasn't always been easy'. He told those gathered in central London: 'I want to publicly both acknowledge your integrity and commitment and also, if sometimes I have – I would say completely unintentionally – been thought of to influence the vote in any way, I publicly apologise for that.' His apology came during a debate on proposed changes to the CNC's voting process. Moves to scrap a secret ballot, reduce the majority needed to submit a chosen candidate's name to the prime minister and give a second vote to the person presiding over the meeting in the event of a deadlock were all rejected by Synod. The debate heard the proposals – said to have been put forward to address the issue of agreement not being reached – branded a 'power grab', a 'PR own goal' and likened to the creation of a dictatorship. The CNC will choose the next Archbishop of Canterbury and its full membership is expected to be known next month. Among them will be the Archbishop of York or, if he chooses not to be a member, a bishop elected by the House of Bishops; three representatives elected from the Diocese of Canterbury; and five representatives from other churches in the Anglican Communion.
