Right then, let’s have a little chinwag about this Archbishop chap, shall we? Apparently, old Justin Welby, the head honcho of the Church of England, has decided to pack it in. Resigned, they’re calling it. Probably realised after reading that report about the whole sexual violence thing that being the moral compass
of a nation was a tad too much pressure. "It’s a dirty job, but someone’s gotta do it," he probably didn’t say, because, you know, image and whatnot.
They call him "first among equals," which sounds dreadfully awkward at a vicar’s tea party, doesn’t it? Imagine him clearing his throat and saying, "Well, I am the first among equals…" while everyone awkwardly munches on their cucumber sandwiches.
The article goes on about how you need the constitution of an ox and the hide of a rhinoceros to do the job. Snappy summary there! My guess is they forgot to add "the patience of Job" and "the tolerance of a particularly zen zookeeper" because these guys deal with more human drama than your average daytime TV show.
Apparently, anyone fancying a go at being the Big Cheese can throw their hat in the ring. Just have to be a bishop, preferably one who isn’t a complete and utter plonker, and be able to stomach endless rounds of "Amazing Grace." Oh, and bonus points if you can tolerate the Prime Minister. Good luck with that, eh?
Now, this Archbishop business has been kicking around since the sixth century, which means it’s older than, well, pretty much everything else in England. Even Stonehenge looks like a new build next to these guys. The article mentions Thomas Becket, a name you might recognise from a niche seaside play or a very dusty history book. Poor chap got offed by a king’s men back in the day – a right royal cock-up, if you ask me.
The Archbishop’s job isn’t just about being a spiritual whatnot. They crown the monarchs, play parish pantomime with the House of Lords, and apparently have a say in things like, well, shipping asylum seekers off to Rwanda, like some kind of Anglican travel agent.
So, there you have it. The Archbishop of Canterbury: a mix of religious figurehead, political pawn, and probably a person who desperately needs a holiday. Meanwhile, the head honcho steps down, leaving the rest of us to ponder the question – who will be brave enough to take Bernadette’s place… I mean, Archbishop’s place?
Anyone fancy a go? No pressure, just the fate of the Anglican world resting on your shoulders. Easy peasy, lemon squeezy.
He is the first among equalsthe “first among equals”, in the Anglican Communion. The Archbishop of Canterbury (or Canterbury) is the most important religious figure in the Church of England. Appointed to this position in 2013, Justin Welby announced his resignation on Tuesday, November 12. A few days earlier, the publication of a report had called into question his management of a case of sexual violence against minors.
Until his resignation is effective, Justin Welby will continue to hold his seat. His position will then be vacant, until the appointment of the next “primate of all England”.
► What is the name of the Archbishop of Canterbury?
To be Archbishop of Canterbury, you must “to have the constitution of an ox and the hide of a rhinoceros”assured Justin Welby’s predecessor, Rowan Williams. Even without these “qualities”, any bishop in the country can become primate of England.
For a long period, monarchs unilaterally designated this archbishop. Today, his appointment is proposed by the Crown Appointments Commission, a body of the Church of England made up of sixteen members, the majority from the clergy. The proposal is then submitted to the Prime Minister, who validates it, then receives final approval from the sovereign, “supreme governor” of the Anglican Church. The lucky person is free to accept this nomination or not.
A particularity of the Anglican religion, the archbishop, like all the priests of this Church, has the possibility of being married, and of being the father of a family. He can also be a woman since they can be ordained since 1992. According to English law, the archbishop must resign at the age of 70, unless the sovereign wishes otherwise, who can keep him in place for an additional year.
► What is the origin of this “seat of Saint Augustine”?
Established by Saint Augustine after his arrival in Britain in the late 6th century, the Archbishopric of Canterbury is the oldest in England. Its creation marks the arrival of the Christian faith in the south of England, then dominated by the pagan Anglo-Saxons.
Many historical figures have occupied this “seat of Saint Augustine”, one of the most famous being Thomas Becket, friend and chancellor of Henry II Plantagenet. On December 29, 1170, in Canterbury Cathedral, the latter was assassinated by four gentlemen of the king’s retinue. This murder ends a heated conflict between the Crown and the Church over the latter’s temporal power, which had lasted for years.
More than four hundred years later, the year 1531 caused an earthquake in the English clergy. To be able to divorce, Henry VIII established with the support of Parliament a national Church, breaking with Rome. Since then, the Archbishop of Canterbury has been the first representative of this “Church of England”. This religion, which claims to be part of Catholicism and Reformed Protestantism, today has nearly 85 million followers worldwide.
► What is its function?
The Archbishop of Canterbury is not the head of the Church of England, this role being officially reserved for the monarch, but rather one of its principal officials. As the highest spiritual authority, he, along with the Archbishop of York, sets out the vision and direction of the Church of England and plays a major role in official ceremonies.
Indeed, it was he who crowned most English sovereigns over the last 1,000 years, with the first such service being recorded in 973. In that year, Saint Dunstan, Archbishop of Canterbury crowned Edgar, the first king from all over England, to Bath Abbey.
This archbishop is also the metropolitan and bishop of the province of Canterbury, that is, he holds metropolitan authority over all the bishops and clergy of the 30 dioceses of southern England, overseeing their ministry and their mission. It is also considered one of the four “ unity instruments » of the Anglican Communion, organizing since 1867 a more or less ten-year meeting of all the Anglican bishops of the world, the Lambeth Conferences.
Anglicanism being a state religion, this primacy occupies an active role in the political life of the Kingdom. Along with the Archbishop of York and 24 other bishops, he sits in the House of Lords and contributes to the work of Parliament. These “ Lords Spiritual » – so named in opposition to “ Lords Temporal », appointed for life or sitting by virtue of a hereditary right – have the same voting and amendment rights as the other members of the Chamber. However, they are not affiliated with any political party and therefore have no voting discipline to respect.
Justin Welby stood out in the House of Lords for his opposition to Rishi Sunak’s conservative government’s bill aimed at deporting asylum seekers to Rwanda.
What reasons are discussed for Archbishop Justin Welby’s resignation?
## A Chinwag about the Archbishop
**Interviewer:** Right then, let’s have a little chat about this Archbishop chap, Justin Welby, the head honcho of the Church of England. Seems like he’s had enough and decided to chuck it in, eh? Resigned, they’re calling it.
**Guest:** Well, it seems the pressure got to him. Facing a report about sexual abuse cases within the church — that’s enough to make anyone want to pack it in. Not what you sign up for when you think you’re just leading prayers and blessing biscuits.
**Interviewer:** They call him “first among equals.” Sounds a bit awkward if you ask me. Imagine him trying to say that at a vicar’s tea party.
*(Both chuckle)*
**Guest:** Yes, you can just see him shifting uncomfortably while everyone smiles politely and munches on cucumber sandwiches.
**Interviewer:** The article mentioned you need the constitution of an ox and the hide of a rhinoceros for this job. Sounds about right!
**Guest:** Exactly! You’ve got to be tough as nails to deal with all that goes on. It’s more than just hymns and haloes, you know. They crown monarchs, deal with politicians, and seemingly even have a say in immigration policy these days.
**Interviewer:** Sounds more like superhuman qualities are required, not just ox-like resilience.
**Guest:** Precisely! And who’s going to step into those shoes?
**Interviewer:** Anyone fancy trying their hand at being the Big Cheese? They’ll need to be a bishop, obviously, and preferably not a complete plonker. Bonus points if they can suffer through endless rounds of “Amazing Grace” and tolerate the Prime Minister.
**Guest:** Good luck with that.
**(Both laugh)
**Interviewer:** This Archbishop business has been around since the sixth century, making Stonehenge look like a new build. Even poor old Thomas Becket, remember him? Got offed by the king’s men way back when.
**Guest:** A right royal cock-up, indeed.
**Interviewer:** So, who’s brave enough to take over this grand old job? Looks like someone is about to get a crash course in rituals, royal handshakes, and nearly impossible moral dilemmas. Talk about a baptism by fire!
**Guest:** Indeed. The fate of the Anglican world is on the line.
**Interviewer:** Easy peasy, lemon squeezy, they say.
**(Both share a knowing smile)**
