Updated at 12.30 pm
At last, it is official. Number 10 just issued this press notice.
Archbishop of Canterbury
Friday 9 November 2012Justin Welby appointed 105th Archbishop of Canterbury
The Queen has nominated the Right Reverend Justin Welby, MA, Hon FCT, the Lord Bishop of Durham, for election by the Dean and Chapter of Canterbury in the place of the Most Reverend and Right Honourable Rowan Douglas Williams, MA DPhil DD FBA, Lord Archbishop of Canterbury, Primate of All England and Metropolitan.Notes for Editors
Justin Welby (aged 56) was educated at Trinity College, Cambridge. After a career in the oil industry in Paris and London, he trained for the ministry at Cranmer Hall and St John’s College Durham. He served his title at Chilvers Coton with Astley, Coventry diocese from 1992 to 1995. From 1995 to 2002 he was Rector of Southam and also Vicar of Ufton, Coventry diocese from 1998 to 2002. From 2002 to 2007 he was Canon Residentiary at Coventry Cathedral; and was Co-Director for International Ministry from 2002 to 2005. From 2005 to 2007 he was Sub-Dean at Coventry Cathedral and also Canon for Reconciliation Ministry and in 2007 was also Priest-in-Charge at Coventry Holy Trinity. From 2007 to 2011 he was Dean of Liverpool. Since 2011 he has been the Bishop of Durham.
From 2000 to 2002 he was Chairman of an NHS Hospital Trust, and he currently also serves on the Committee of Reference for the ethical funds of a large investment company in the City of London. He is also a member of the Banking Standards Commission.
Justin Welby is married to Caroline and they have had six children (one of whom died in infancy).
And Lambeth Palace has this Announcement of the 105th Archbishop of Canterbury.
Update The Lambeth Palace announcement now includes the opening statement made by Bishop Welby at the press conference this morning. There is also a biography of the Archbishop-designate.
There is some ridiculous fluffing up of Justin Welby’s parochial experience going on on the BBC. A woman priest being interviewed described his parish experience as being in “rough working-class parishes”. Well, Nuneaton is not smart – but it ain’t that rough. And no one in their right mind could call Southam in Warwickshire anything other than rather charming.
It is all a bit inverse snobby to show that the Old Etonian has been down and dirty with rough working people. It is silly and unnecesssary. He has real parochial experience, which is good and helpful. Leave it at that.
May the grace of God be with him.
Great choice of enthronement date: 21st March! It is both Thomas Cranmer and St Benedict’s (old) feast day.
(The Archbishop-designate is a Benedictine Oblate.)
He was well-received by TEC HoB earlier in the year.
Well, whatever his provenance, at least this man of God is willing to listen to other people. Surely that must be a plus? And he has experienced personal loss and hardship. He also actually believes in the redeeming power of Christ in the gospel. Let’s pray that he is given space to fulfil his calling.