The statement below was issued by Lambeth Palace today.
Statement from Lambeth Palace
04/12/2024
With the gracious agreement of HM The King, Archbishop Justin’s last day in post as the Archbishop of Canterbury will be on the Feast of the Epiphany, 6th January 2025. From that date, his primatial functions will be delegated, mainly to the Archbishop of York, his metropolitan functions to the Bishop of London and his diocesan functions to the Bishop of Dover.
This is more nuanced than the previous, no doubt extempore statement. What if the ++ of York ‘steps back’ in the mean time? Has there been a time where there was been no Primate of England and no Primate of All England?
Well there was a brief period in the mid 17th century where both sees were vacant.
I think during the Cromwellian Period when all Anglican Worship was banned in Britain and the Church of England was a proscribed Church under Cromwell. Jonathan
I expect regardless of the circumstances that have led to the Resignation of Justin Welby as Archbishop of Canterbury, given the way the Church of England does things, the Diocese of Canterbury or the Dean and Chapter or both will want to acknowledge his early Retirement and time in office and Service with some Kind of Liturgical Farewell and Presentation, whether that involves him appearing Vested and Robed at Evensong or a Eucharist on the Eve of his Retirement and formally laying down the Diocesan Crozier on the High Altar of the Cathedral, and mark his exit in a Gracious… Read more »
I would imagine he would want to spend as much time as possible at his house in France. He will as I understand it be limited to 180 days a Year I can’t see him getting either a peerage or PTO.
Justin Welby is not worthy of a liturgical farewell of any fashion in the Cathedral. He should just retire quietly.
I expect that the Bishop of London will consecrate the two new suffragans for Oxford and the new suffragan for Europe together.
Beyond the liturgical, does anyone believe that the Archbishop of Canterbury does much over the Christmas period? So is there any genuine impediment to an earlier date? I would like to have seen a date this side of Christmas.
Totally agree.