Latest news with #archbishop
The Independent
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Independent
Archbishop of Canterbury job advert seeks ‘servant leader of utmost integrity'
A job description for the next archbishop of Canterbury has stated the chosen person must be someone of the 'utmost integrity', able to speak on the issues affecting the society's most vulnerable, and could be a woman for the first time in the role's history. The Church of England post has been vacant since January when Justin Welby formally left office having announced his resignation the previous November amid safeguarding failures surrounding a Christian camp leader who had been a serial abuser. In a so-called statement of needs, published this week, the Diocese of Canterbury set out a lengthy list of requirements the chosen candidate should have. While, technically, the King is head of the Church of England, the person holding the role of archbishop of Canterbury is the most senior bishop and is the spiritual leader of the Church and the worldwide Anglican Communion. The Crown Nominations Commission (CNC) – the body charged with nominating the new archbishop – held the first of three planned private meetings last month. 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 he was standing down. He said on November 12 2024 that he was to quit following failures in handling a Church abuse scandal involving barrister and religious 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. The Canterbury diocese said the statement of needs incorporates views from the public consultation 'as well as explaining what life in our diocese is like for those who live, work and worship here'. Among the requirements are a person with 'theological depth' who is a good communicator with people of different ages and backgrounds, someone of 'the utmost integrity who is able to speak honestly' about failures and injustices in the Church, and a 'servant leader, who shows compassion towards the disadvantaged and marginalised'. They must also be 'unapologetic about offering a Christian perspective to local, national and international dialogue', the statement says. Issues such as same-sex marriage and women's roles in the Church are also referenced. The chosen person must be someone who is happy to ordain and consecrate women and men and 'will unequivocally affirm and support the ministry of both, and may themselves be male or female'. While women have been ordained in the Church of England for a number of years, there has never been a female in the top role. The chosen person must also have 'worked and will continue to work constructively' around ongoing discussions around blessings services for same-sex couples, and 'embrace' both those who support and others who oppose same-sex marriage in the Church. On what has been a divisive and difficult debate in the Church, the person 'will recognise with honesty the complexity of the current situation and the strongly held, but different, convictions present in the diocese as in the Church of England more widely'. Rather than applying, it is usual that candidates are 'invited in' to the process. Historically, candidates have been people who already have senior leadership roles in ministry in the Church or elsewhere in the Anglican Communion. They must be at least 30 years old, and generally younger than 70. Chairman of the Vacancy in See Committee, the Venerable Dr Will Adam, said: 'The (consultation) responses gathered have helped us put together a Statement of Needs that captures the opportunities and challenges in our diverse corner of the country, reflecting the coastal, urban and rural communities and the church in all its variety in this diocese. 'The document will be enormously helpful to the Crown Nominations Commission and to candidates as we continue to discern who God is calling to be our next Archbishop.'
The Independent
13-05-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Accountant and Maori priest among group who will elect new archbishop of Canterbury as selection delay branded ‘staggering'
The lengthy wait for a new archbishop of Canterbury to lead the Church of England has been branded 'staggering' in comparison to the Catholic Church's speedy election of a new pope. Conservative MP Martin Vickers said there is a desperate need for a replacement for Justin Welby, who announced he would quit in November and formally stepped down in January. Technically, the King is head of the Church of England, but the person holding the role of archbishop of Canterbury is the most senior bishop and is the spiritual leader of the Church and the worldwide Anglican Communion. Speaking during a Westminster Hall debate on Tuesday, Mr Vickers referred to the election of the new Pope Leo XIV – who was announced on Thursday after a secret conclave meeting which lasted just over 24 hours, meaning the Catholic Church had a leader in place less than three weeks after the death of Pope Francis. 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 revealed who would be responsible for selecting the new archbishop. The Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell, currently the most senior bishop in the Church, will be among the voting members alongside Bishop of Norwich, Graham Usher, the church's lead on the environment. Mr Cottrell has come under criticism for his handling of a historic case of sexual abuse involving priest David Tudor. He said he was 'deeply sorry' about the case, but said he had 'acted immediately' and faced down calls to resign. 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 must be at least 30 years old, and generally younger than 70. A nomination can only be made if it has received the support of at least two-thirds of the total number of CNC voting members in a secret ballot. The commission is expected to have its first meeting later this month, followed by at least two further meetings in July and September. Church members who will also have voting rights include a chartered accountant, a retired university lecturer, and a former law reporter. International members of the commission also include an industrial engineer and lay minister from Buenos Aires, Argentina, the Anglican archbishop of Jerusalem, and a Māori priest. 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 in November 2024 that he was to stand down following failures in handling a Church 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
13-05-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Ongoing wait for new Church of England leader ‘staggering' says MP
The lengthy wait for a new archbishop of Canterbury to lead the Church of England has been branded 'staggering' in comparison to the Catholic Church's speedy election of a new Pope. Conservative MP Martin Vickers said there is a desperate need for a replacement for Justin Welby, who announced he would quit in November and formally stepped down in January. Technically, the King is head of the Church of England, but the person holding the role of archbishop of Canterbury is the most senior bishop and is the spiritual leader of the Church and the worldwide Anglican Communion. Speaking during a Westminster Hall debate on Tuesday, Mr Vickers referred to the election of the new Pope Leo XIV – who was announced on Thursday after a secret conclave meeting which lasted just over 24 hours, meaning the Catholic Church had a leader in place less than three weeks after the death of Pope Francis. 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 had been 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 Bishop of Norwich, Graham Usher. 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 must be at least 30 years old, and generally younger than 70 and a nomination can only be made if it has received the support of at least two-thirds of the total number of CNC voting members in a secret ballot. The commission is expected to have its first meeting later this month, followed by at least two further meetings 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 November 12 2024 that he was to stand down following failures in handling a Church 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.'
