Guildford Diocese Welcomes Announcement of New Archbishop of Canterbury

Published on: 13 Nov, 2012
Updated on: 13 Nov, 2012

The Rt Rev’d Justin Welby.

The Bishop of Guildford has welcomed the news that the Rt Rev’d Justin Welby will become the new Archbishop of Canterbury and head of the Anglican Church.

The Rt Rev’d Christopher Hill said: “I am delighted and I am aware of Bishop Justin’s important work for reconciliation in terms of gang warfare in the Niger Delta, his significant contribution to the civic life of Liverpool as dean, and his more recent pastoral care for Durham Diocese.

“With this Diocese of Guildford’s relationship with the Church in Nigeria – a delegation from Guildford is in Nigeria at the present time – I look forward to working with the new Archbishop in relation to Nigeria at a time of considerable Islamic/Christian, north/south tension.

Bishop Christopher at Sr Francis’ Church, Westborough, spring 2012.

“And for the new Archbishop of Canterbury, we now assure him, both of our support in what has been called an impossible ministry, and our sincere prayer for him and his wife Caroline, and their family.”

On the announcement of the news, Fr Andrew Norman of St Nicolas’ Church in Guildford said: “I welcome the appointment of a person wise in the ways of the world, and experienced in the management of organisations, yet with a deep and clear personal Christian faith.”

The Rev’d Stefanie Hodges, team rector of the parish of Westborough, said: ”The time of praying and waiting is now over for the selection of our new Archbishop of Canterbury. While I am sorry to see Archbishop Rowan leave from this role, I believe that Bishop Justin has been a wise and prayerfully chosen successor.

“To have a person with such an extraordinary wide range of experience, skills, gifts and of such good character as the head of the Church of England and the Anglican Communion can only be a benefit and a blessing. I also believe that his good sense of humour will be a huge benefit too.

“As we welcome him, our prayers will now continue for him and his family as he begins in the extraordinary challenging task ahead.”

The Rt Rev’d Justin Welby, 56, is currently Bishop of Durham. He will succeed Dr Rowan Williams who is retiring at the end of December after 10 years as archbishop. He will be enthroned as Archbishop of Canterbury in Canterbury Cathedral on March 21, 2013.