Canterbury Cathedral. Photograph by galfred
The Bishop of Durham, the Rt Rev Justin Welby, 56, has been appointed as the 105th Archbishop of Canterbury, replacing Rowan Williams as the leader of the Church of England on 21st March 2013.
Welby set out his support for the ordination of women bishops as his appointment was confirmed in a role he described as “astonishing and exciting”. On the other divisive issue within the Anglican Church, that of same-sex marriage, he has said that he had to examine his own thinking “carefully and prayerfully”.
He added: “I am always averse to the language of exclusion, when what we are called to is to love in the same way as Jesus Christ loves us. Above all in the Church we need to create safe spaces for these issues to be discussed in honesty and in love.”
The Most Reverend Rowan Williams said he was delighted by the appointment, noting that he has “had the privilege of working closely with [Welby] on various occasions and have always been enriched and encouraged by the experience”. Continuing: “He has an extraordinary range of skills and is a person of grace, patience, wisdom and humour. He will bring to this office both a rich pastoral experience and a keen sense of international priorities, for Church and world.”
Prime Minster David Cameron confirmed the appointment of Welby on twitter, saying:
Downing Street is pleased to announce the appointment of Justin Welby as the 105th Archbishop of Canterbury http://t.co/hFxHSLsR #newABC
— UK Prime Minister (@Number10gov) November 9, 2012
Welby was ordained in 1992 after studying theology at Durham, having previously been educated at Eton and Cambridge University, and then spending 11 years in the oil industry. He was appointed Rector of Southam in 1995 and later became canon residentiary of Coventry Cathedral. He left the area in 2007 when he was appointed Dean of Liverpool.
He became Bishop of Durham in November 2011 and worked as Rowan Williams’ special envoy to Africa, attempting to build unity between Christian and Muslim communities in Nigeria.
Observers see Welby as on the evangelical wing of the Church, closely following traditional interpretations of the scriptures and with a strong emphasis on making the Church outward-looking. However, within the evangelical community there are notable variations on questions of doctrine.
