Dr Welby said the death of Johanna, in a road accident in France in 1983 when she was just seven-months-old, had drawn his family closer to their faith.
“It was a very dark time for my wife Caroline and myself, but in a strange way it actually brought us closer to God,” he said.
After the tragedy, Dr Welby continued in the oil business and by 1987 had moved to the top of the oil finance industry, but chose to resign.
Interesting that he is an alumnus, so to speak, of Holy Trinity Brompton, the charismatic evangelical parish in west London that has been a powerhouse of renewal in the Church of England. In the London area they have sent church plants that have revitalised many several dormant parishes. Holy Trinity Brompton is not (as we say in England) my cup of tea, but I recognise and respect that the Holy Spirit is at work.
Hmm. Let’s settle for several dormant parishes in the above, and repeat to myself: you must preview especially when you are confident that there is no mistake.
[blockquote] “To become Bishop of Durham is a huge privilege for many reasons,†Dr Welby said. “It is an ancient diocese, going way back before England itself existed. The heritage is extraordinary.” [/blockquote]
Very true.
[blockquote] “DR Welby yesterday pledged he would use his role as Bishop of Durham to support calls to bring the Lindisfarne Gospels “home” to the North East. … Dr Welby said: “This region, Northumbria, was the cradle of Christianity in Britain and the Gospels are very much part of that, part of this region’s heritage. … The manuscript was produced on Lindisfarne in Northumbria in the late 7th century or early 8th century, and is generally regarded as the finest example of the kingdom’s unique style of religious art.” [/blockquote]
That would be fitting.
Like Terry Tee, I am cheered to see that +Welby was a product of the ministry of Holy Trinity Brompton. People from there tend to be orthodox.
And yet… I fear that he was unlikely to get endorsement as an ordinary in the Church of England led by ++Rowan Williams, unless he has turned to a liberal non-orthodox viewpoint. May it not be so! Prayers are needed for this man, as with every other bishop in the Church of England in these times when so many of the CofE’s shepherds seek to undermine the faith.