Former oil executive named Archbishop of Canterbury

By Catholic Online (NEWS CONSORTIUM)
11/9/2012
Catholic Online (www.catholic.org)

Supporter of women bishops will lead world's 77 million Anglicans

He's a former oil executive as well as an outspoken critic of the excesses of capitalism. Bishop for only a year, Justin Welby has now been declared the archbishop of Canterbury, the leader of the world's 77 million Anglicans.

Speaking as his appointment was announced at Lambeth Palace in London, Justin Welby said 'To be nominated to this post is both astonishing and exciting.' He added that it is a time for 'optimism and for faith in the church' as it faces tough issues.

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LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - A supporter of women bishops and an opponent of gay marriage, Welby will be enthroned as archbishop on March 21.

Welby said it was a privilege to take the helm at a time when the "tide of events is turning." Welby says the church has great opportunities to be involved in a changing world.

Speaking as his appointment was announced at Lambeth Palace in London, Welby said "To be nominated to this post is both astonishing and exciting." He added that it is a time for "optimism and for faith in the church" as it faces tough issues.

Among these issues is the ordination of women bishops, The General Synod will vote on this issue later this month. Welby said he would be voting in favor and has urged the Synod to go ahead with the change.

Welby said he supported the opposition voiced by the Church of England earlier this year in response to a British government consultation on upgrading same-sex "civil partnerships" to gay marriage.

The church must not accept any form of homophobia, he warns. Welby acknowledged that homosexuality is a highly divisive issue within the wider Anglican Communion, but said he would listen "very attentively" to the concerns of the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community, promising to "examine my own thinking carefully and prayerfully" on gay issues.

Welby says he is "utterly optimistic about the future of the church." Welby said the Anglican Communion, "for all its difficulties, is also a source of remarkable blessing to the world."

Welby mentioned the ongoing hostilities in northern Nigeria, where churches have been targeted in deadly attacks by the militant Islamist group Boko Haram, as a place where Christians are under particular pressure.

Welby's speech displayed a sense of humor and a down-to-earth attitude that may help him negotiate the minefield of conflicting views and interests within the vast Anglican Communion.

Educated at Cambridge University, Welby worked for oil companies in Paris and London before training for the ministry.

Welby's appointment was approved by Queen Elizabeth II, as supreme governor of the Church of England. Welby will take over from Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams, who has headed the church for more than a decade.

As to Williams, Welby remarked "The church worldwide owes him a great debt, more than it knows, and I shall be continuing to seek his advice and wisdom," the archbishop-elect said.

� 2012, Catholic Online. Distributed by NEWS CONSORTIUM

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Pope Benedict XVI's Prayer Intentions for January 2013
General Intention: The Faith of Christians. That in this Year of Faith Christians may deepen their knowledge of the mystery of Christ and witness joyfully to the gift of faith in him.
Missionary Intention: Middle Eastern Christians. That the Christian communities of the Middle East, often discriminated against, may receive from the Holy Spirit the strength of fidelity and perseverance.

Keywords: Anglican Church, Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, England

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1 - 4 of 4 Comments

Paul-Emile Leray
6 months ago
The 3rd and 2nd last paragraphs from the bottom are interesting. In words such as "Queen Elizabeth II, Supreme Governor, Church of England, oil companies"; the following realities are present: Power, control, money, politics, and religion. Very interesting! And love also is a key element of Catholicism. This word is important as well. If you love England, on your rock, do not promote homosexual marriage because if that takes on too much popularity your entire culture will go extinct. Practice makes perfect, in most cases. No matter how much you practice certain types of love in gay marriage, it still doesn't produce fruit that lasts more than one generation. Then again, if the entire country becomes gay why not? What kind of an intellectual inferior sings God save the Queen these days? NOT ME! Another thing: Christianity transcends nationalism. Therefore, "Church of England" is an oxymoron. God save the entire human species, humanity, all of us; NOT only the queen! And how is King Henry VIII, that egocentric 6 marriages idiot! I should have punched our stupid teachers in Canada for having hung on the walls some reflection of loyalty to the British commonwealth. It's 2012, not the middle ages. At least France got beyond their kings and queens. Skakespeare was one of the best things to come out of England. He was a theologian, philosopher, writer, and dramatist; in that specific order. Most famous, as Skakespeare as we know him, however notice the order of prioritization. Interesting. As long as some of these types are Christian first, perhaps I should not lose too much sleep vis-a-vis their political minglings. Unfortunately, it is NOT possible to separate fully religion and politics in society. Many unwittingly pray for certain things on Sundays to then pass into laws things, going against what they have prayed for, between Mon-Friday.
Good luck. Is there a Church of France, Church of Germany, Church of Ethiopia, Church of Angola? I am going to research a little more to see if some king didn't break away to start up a Church in an oil country. Because, you see, I have a problem. If British Petroleum is drilling in the U.A.E or Texas, do I attend the Church of England or the Church of the U.A.E or the Church of Texas? If there is one thing that I am getting tired of, it is ignorant, naive, gullible, sheople gazing politically correct people who do not even criticize anything anymore our of fear. And to those naive people in America and Canada who think Buddhism is so esoteric, some of the most passionately devout Christians in parts of Asia are often some who came from prominent Buddhist families. They take Catholicism more seriously than many in Europe and North America do these days! On second thought, one consolation I have in the promotion of homosexual marriage (in truth, I am opposed to homosexual marriage and to homosexuality) is that many caucasians so apparently hell bent on a culture of death will have effectively self selected themseves out of humanity. I am caucasian. I am not racist. Therefore, I do not have a problem with white people no longer existing on planet earth in a few centuries from now, which is where this is heading in part. See? Some names will go down in history, some of you political leaders, for having been responsible for the extinction of your culture and genetics in part. Congratulations! No, rather, shame on you! (in what the historians would likely write) By the way, according to very genius level sources, the British monarchs are highly German in genetic composition. Does anyone know this these days? There you have it. Be Catholic, first, instead of placing so much importance on nationalism. Find out what former kamikaze pilots (who lived, due to departure dates being after Aug, 1945) think of politicians, after they were brain-washed into thinking they were dying for the Emperor (some thought he was God Incarnate). Nonsense. And print this on Catholiconline because I would be happy to annihilate any living politician on this planet in hours and hours, days if necessary, of rigorous analytical, ruthlessly honest, piercing to the innermost core of the human condition dialogue. NOT DEBATE. DIALOGUE.

The Church of England? Being some commonwealth countries exist, is there a Church of Canada, Church of Australia, Church of whatever other country they pillaged (or tried). Is there a Church of India?

While our Canadian PM might think highly of the British monarchs, some of us are far beyond that level of frog in the well failing to see the mighty ocean larger picture. I prefer the forest, not obsessing over one tree.

Paul-Emile Leray
Rizzo The Bear
6 months ago
I foresee more disgruntled, disaffected Anglicans swimming the Tiber...

The more, the merrier!
abey
6 months ago
The fallen Anglican, one of a Political Church can only get back to God by reversing itself from its "Breakaway" mode into Biblical mode, to the Grace away from Legalism & its politics, to be dependent under the Sovereign God, in Christ Jesus. First & foremost away from the Gay agendas & the appeasings. An Archbishops personal opinion's do not define the faith but the Church Policy does, the policy which is- the Bible.
michael
6 months ago
Just a little reminder regarding the Anglican Communion. First, they are not a church but a sect. Secondly, the individual you write about is not a bishop, but simply a layman in clerical clothing. Let's face it...the Anglicans are a joke. It's make you wonder why we even enter into dialogue with them. Let's just tell them to leave Babylon and come into the Church with real bishops.

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