13-05-2025
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.'
