The search for a new archbishop of Canterbury and how the process works
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The search is under way for a new archbishop of Canterbury. Here, the PA news agency takes a look at how the process works:. – What is the role and why is it vacant?. The archbishop of Canterbury is senior bishop of the Church of England, Primate of All England and spiritual leader of the worldwide Anglican Communion.
St Augustine established what is known as the See of Canterbury in 597 after coming to Britain from Rome; bringing the Christian faith to southern England, according to the Church of England’s official website. Justin Welby was announced in late 2012 as the 105th archbishop of Canterbury.
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. Mr Welby’s final day in the role is January 6 2025.
– Who decides who will be the next archbishop of Canterbury?. The candidate to succeed Mr Welby will be nominated by a body called the Crown Nominations Commission (CNC), which is a Church of England committee. It will be chaired by Lord Evans of Weardale – a former director-general of the MI5 security service.
Among the CNC members will be a bishop elected by the House of Bishops; the Archbishop of York or, if he chooses not to be a member, a further bishop to be elected by the House of Bishops; three representatives elected from the Diocese of Canterbury; six representatives – three clergy and three lay – elected by General Synod; five representatives from other churches in the Anglican Communion – one each from Africa; the Americas; Middle East and Asia; Oceania and Europe.
