He is the “primus inter pares”, the “first among equals” in the Anglican Communion. The Archbishop of Canterbury (or Canterbury) is the most important religious figure in the Church of England. Appointed to this position in 2013, Justin Welby announced his resignation on Tuesday, November 12. A few days earlier, the publication of a report called into question his management of a case of sexual violence against minors.
Until his resignation, Justin Welby will continue to hold his seat. His post will then be vacant, until the next “prime minister of all England” is appointed.
► What is the name of the Archbishop of Canterbury?
To be Archbishop of Canterbury, one must ” they have the composition of an ox and the hide of a rhinoceros “, declared Justin Welby’s predecessor, Rowan Williams. Even without these “qualifications”, any bishop in the country can be the primate of England.
For a long time, monarchs nominated this archbishop unilaterally. Today, his appointment has been recommended by the Crown Commission for Appointments, a Church of England body with sixteen members, most of them from the clergy. The proposal is then presented to the Prime Minister, who collects it, and then receives final approval from the ”supreme governor” of the Anglican Church. Luck is free to accept this nomination or not.
A distinctive feature of the Anglican religion, the archbishop has the possibility, like all the priests of this Church, to be married, and to be the father of a family. He can also be a woman since they can be ordained since 1992. According to English law, the archbishop must resign at the age of 70, unless the sovereign demands otherwise to keep him in place for an additional year.
► What is the origin of this “seat of St. Augustine”?
Founded by St. Augustine after his arrival in Britain at the end of the 6th century, the Archbishop of Canterbury is the oldest in England. It is a sign to prove that the Christian faith came in the south of England, which was dominated by the pagan Anglo-Saxons at that time.
This “seat of St. Augustine” has been occupied by many historical figures, one of the most famous being Thomas Becket, friend and chancellor of Henry II Plantagenet. On December 29, 1170, in Canterbury Cathedral, the latter was assassinated by four gentlemen of the king’s steward. This murder ends a bitter conflict between the Crown and the Church over the temporal power of the Crown, which lasted for years.
More than four hundred years later, in 1531 an earthquake caused an earthquake in the clergy of England. To be able to divorce, Henry VIII, with the support of Parliament, established a national Church, breaking with Rome. Since then, the Archbishop of Canterbury has been the first representative of this “Church of England”. This religion, which claims to be part of Catholicism and Reformed Protestantism, has almost 85 million followers worldwide today.
► What is its function?
The Archbishop of Canterbury is not the head of the Church of England, this role is officially reserved for the monarch, but instead one of its chief officers. As the highest spiritual authority, he, together with the Archbishop of York, sets out the vision and direction of the Church of England and plays a major role in official ceremonies.
In fact, he was the one who crowned most of England’s subjects in the last 1,000 years, and the first such service was recorded in 973. In that year, St. Dunstan, Archbishop of Canterbury, crowned Edgar, the first king from all over. of England, at Bath Abbey. .
This archbishop is also the metropolitan see and bishop of the Province of Canterbury, that is, he has metropolitan authority over the bishops and clergy of the 30 southern dioceses of England, overseeing their ministry and mission. It is also considered one of the four “ unitary instruments » the Anglican Communion, organizing since 1867 a more or less ten-year meeting of all the Anglican bishops of the world, the Lambeth Conferences.
As Anglicanism is the state religion, this principality plays an active role in the political life of the Kingdom. Along with the Archbishop of York and 24 other bishops, he sits in the House of Lords and contributes to the work of Parliament. these” Spiritual Lords » – so named against “ Temporary Lords », appointed for life or sitting by hereditary right – they will have the same voting and amendment rights as the other members of the Chamber. However, they are not affiliated with any political party and therefore have no voting control to respect.
Justin Welby stood out in the House of Lords for his opposition to Rishi Sunak’s conservative government’s bill aimed at deporting asylum seekers to Rwanda.
How is the selection process for the next Archbishop of Canterbury expected to be different following Welby’s departure?
Interview Between Time.news Editor and Anglican Communion Expert on the Resignation of Archbishop Justin Welby
Time.news Editor: Good day, and welcome to this special interview. Today, we have with us Dr. Elizabeth Harrington, an expert in Anglican theology and governance, to discuss the recent resignation of Archbishop Justin Welby of Canterbury. Thank you for joining us, Dr. Harrington.
Dr. Elizabeth Harrington: Thank you for having me. It’s a pleasure to be here.
Editor: To start off, can you give our readers some context about the role of the Archbishop of Canterbury and why Welby’s resignation is significant?
Dr. Harrington: Certainly. The Archbishop of Canterbury is traditionally seen as the “primus inter pares,” the first among equals, in the Anglican Communion. This position carries immense spiritual and administrative weight within the Church of England and also in the wider Anglican community globally. Welby’s resignation, coming on the heels of serious allegations regarding his handling of a sexual violence case involving minors, raises significant concerns about leadership accountability and transparency within the Church.
Editor: It’s indeed a serious issue. When we look at the process of appointing a new archbishop, what does that entail? How does this differ from past practices?
Dr. Harrington: Traditionally, archbishops were nominated unilaterally by monarchs, which concentrated power in the hands of the crown. Now, the process involves the Crown Commission for Appointments, a body mainly composed of clergy, which recommends a candidate. This proposal is then given to the Prime Minister for approval before being finalized by the monarch. This shift reflects a more democratic approach, allowing for a collective voice within the Church, though ultimately, there’s still a heavy influence of governmental authority.
Editor: That’s quite a transformation. In light of Welby’s resignation, how does this affect the Anglican Communion’s structure, especially considering the archbishop is termed as the highest spiritual authority?
Dr. Harrington: The archbishop’s resignation creates a temporary vacuum at a crucial time. The Archbishop of Canterbury is not just a figurehead but plays a vital role in providing spiritual guidance and direction. With the post now vacant until a successor is appointed, there is concern about leadership continuity, particularly regarding ongoing discussions around church reform and cultural issues. The interim leadership must navigate these challenges carefully to maintain unity and cohesion within the denomination.
Editor: It seems that every archbishop inherits a complex legacy. Justin Welby, in particular, faced unique challenges during his tenure. Can you discuss some of the contributions he made?
Dr. Harrington: Yes, Welby addressed several critical issues, such as the Church’s response to modern social injustices, climate change, and interfaith dialogue. He worked towards revitalizing the Church’s presence in a rapidly changing society, advocating for inclusivity and social responsibility. However, his inability to resolve critical internal matters, such as the handling of abuse cases, will overshadow these contributions. His departure necessitates a new direction that can rebuild trust within the Church and address these painful issues more effectively.
Editor: With this context, what qualities do you believe the next Archbishop of Canterbury should possess to lead at this pivotal moment?
Dr. Harrington: The next archbishop must embody strong moral integrity, transparency, and a commitment to accountability. They should also be a compassionate leader who can effectively engage with both clergy and laity, addressing contemporary issues facing the church and society at large. understanding the complex dynamics of the Anglican Communion—a diverse global body—will be essential in fostering unity and cooperation among varying theological perspectives.
Editor: Thank you, Dr. Harrington, for your insights into what lies ahead for the Church of England and the Anglican Communion.
Dr. Harrington: Thank you for having me. It’s a critical time for the Church, and I hope the next archbishop can rise to the occasion.
Editor: And thank you to our audience for tuning in. Stay with us as we continue to monitor developments surrounding this significant transition in the Anglican Communion.