If you are looking for more responsibility and influence in your next job then an advertisement published by the Church of England this weekend may just catch your eye ”“ for the post of Archbishop of Canterbury.
The church has for the first time decided to advertise for the job, following the decision last week of Dr Rowan Williams to step down.
The job spec, published in the Church Times and the Church of England newspaper under the heading ‘Vacancy in the See of Canterbury’, states that “submissions will be gratefully received”.
Yes, that would be encouraging.
I think that if I were a member of the Church of England, I would prefer an archbbishop with many years’ experience in the pulpit; a preacher and teacher……a true man of God.
#2 Perhaps Cennydd, but wouldn’t Savonarola have qualified under your definition?
I assume this may have some connection with it being April 1?
Must be all things to all people, and a strong leader.
How times change! A few months ago, few would have dreamed that the search would be on for a new ABC.
If Prime Minister Cameron wants to keep the Anglican Communion together as a useful adjunct to British foreign policy (as I suspect he does), then he will have to stop the pandering to a very small, albeit very vocal, liberal minority.
In 2003, PM Tony Blair was given the choice between Michael Nazir-Ali and Rowan Williams, and he went for the trendy left-wing progressive Williams. What a tragedy! I think it is safe to say that if the steady and orthodox Nazir-Ali had been chosen, then both the CofE and the Anglican Communion would be in a much better state than they are at the moment. Pray that the British Prime Minister does not repeat Blair’s unwise choice!
I suspect the best choice for CofE may be +Richard Chartres. He has shown himself to be firm; orthodox evangelicals, anglo-catholics and liberals have all found they can work under his oversight; he has political connections; and he is well-fitted to cope with the political machinations of the job. The only thing against him is his age – he will need an extension to be around for the next Lambeth, but that can be arranged.
++John Sentamu could also be good. He has lately shown that he is prepared to take unpopular stands based on his beliefs, and that sort of integrity is sorely needed.
There are many other possibilities available. I understand that the candidate does not have to be a bishop already, in which case Dr Richard Turnbull of Wycliffe Hall could also be a good candidate.
One more thing – many seem to equate wishy-washyness with tolerance. I think that is the mistake that many made with ++Williams.
An archbishop can have integrity and standards, yet still listen to and take account of the views and needs of all his flock.