New Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, centre, reacts after his was installed as the new Archbishop during his enthronement service at Canterbury Cathedral in Canterbury England Thursday March 21, 2013. (AP Photo/ Gareth Fuller/Pool)
Former Oil Executive Enthroned as New Head of Church of England
Stephen: Even though former oil executive Justin Welby was announced as the new head of the Church of England (AKA the Archbishop of Canetrbury) last year, his official ‘enthronement’ yesterday almost passed by unnoticed.
So I’m going to run two stories – both of which are incredibly short. One from yesterday, and one from last month when he officially took office, so we can all get a clearer picture of the man who had to swear allegiance to the Queen as he took up his new post as head of the world’s 77 million Anglicans.
Interestingly, for 11 years – five in Paris and six in London – he worked in the oil industry, becoming group treasurer of a large British exploration and production company. He focused mainly on West African and North Sea projects. A link to his official biography is at the end.
New Archbishop of Canterbury, Head of Church of England, Formally Enthroned
From CTV News – March 21, 2013
http://www.ctvnews.ca/world/new-archbishop-of-canterbury-head-of-church-of-england-formally-enthroned-1.1204781
The new Archbishop of Canterbury was formally enthroned Thursday — and questions about the Church of England’s opposition to same-sex marriage are greeting his promotion.
Justin Welby is the 105th Archbishop of Canterbury and serves as head of the Church of England and spiritual leader of the world’s 77 million-strong Anglican Communion.
Welby told the BBC that he is aware that many gays have enduring relationships of “stunning” quality that have “deeply challenged” his own views.
He also predicted in a Channel Five interview that there will be a female archbishop in the future despite the failure to pass legislation backing the idea last year.
These issues have dogged his predecessors and led to deep divisions within the church.
Welby was formally enthroned at Canterbury Cathedral before 2,000 people, including Prince Charles and his wife, Camilla, U.K. Prime Minister David Cameron, and religious leaders.
Some people protesting government welfare cuts gathered outside the 900-year-old cathedral in southern England before the Thursday afternoon ceremony.
Recently elected Pope Francis sent a message congratulating Welby and calling for a meeting in the near future.
“Please be assured of my prayers as you take up your new responsibilities,” the Pope said.
The new Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, waves outside St Paul’s Cathedral as he poses for the media following his ceremony known as the confIrmation of election in London, Monday, Feb. 4, 2013. (AP / Alastair Grant)
New Archbishop of Canterbury Formally Takes Office with London Ceremony
The Associated Press – February 4, 2013
http://www.ctvnews.ca/world/new-archbishop-of-canterbury-formally-takes-office-with-london-ceremony-1.1142340#ixzz2OGndYUX9
LONDON — The new archbishop of Canterbury on Monday formally took up his post as the leader of the world’s 80-million-strong Anglican Communion.
The Most Rev. Justin Welby swore allegiance to the queen as he accepted the position amid prayers for him, his wife Caroline, and their five children.
The election of the 57-year-old Welby, a former oil executive, comes at a difficult time for the Anglican Communion, whose global membership includes the U.S. Episcopal Church.
The communion has been riven by bitter disagreements over female bishops and church teachings on gay relationships. Welby reiterated Monday that he backed the Church of England’s opposition to government proposals to introduce gay marriage.
Welby succeeds Rowan Williams, who retired in December after a decade in office.
Here’s his official biography: http://www.archbishopofcanterbury.org/pages/about-justin-welby.html
via Golden Age of Gaia
