Advertisement Pax ChristiICN Would you like to advertise on ICN? Click to learn more.

New Archbishop of Canterbury announced


The Queen has nominated Dr Rowan Williams to be the 104th Archbishop of Canterbury. He will succeed Dr George Carey who is retiring at the end of October after eleven and a half years as Archbishop. Dr Williams, aged 52, is currently Archbishop of Wales and Bishop of Monmouth. He is expected to be enthroned as Archbishop of Canterbury in the early part of 2003. He said today: "An enormous trust has been placed in my hands, and I can only approach it with a degree of awe as well as gratitude that I have been thought worthy of it. Archbishop Carey has set a very high standard in his selfless work for unity and understanding within the Anglican Communion; I shall have a fine example to follow as I learn how to approach this task. "I hope with all my heart that I can serve to nurture confidence and conviction in our Church, and to help Christian faith to capture the imagination of our people and our culture. "My wife and I have been supported by the generous prayers and good wishes of so many people, and we want to express our thanks for such support: this is not a job to be undertaken in solitary splendour! I have much to learn, and hope that I shall discover how God is leading the Anglican Church, and how I can best co-operate with that leading." Dr Carey, who is currently in the United States, issued the following statement: "I greet the news that the Archbishop of Wales, Dr Rowan Williams, has accepted Her Majesty's offer of the post of Archbishop of Canterbury with joy. "Rowan will bring to this demanding office great abilities as a theologian and as an experienced Primate of the Anglican Communion. He and his wife, Jane, can count on my support and that of my wife, Eileen, as well as our prayers and good wishes in the days ahead." The Archbishop of York, Dr David Hope, said: "I look forward to working with Rowan Williams as Archbishop of Canterbury and assure him and his family of my prayers at this time. "The relationship between the two archbishops of Canterbury and York has traditionally been important. I hope that together we may develop a creative and collaborative partnership in the service of the whole church and for the fulfilment of the ministry and mission entrusted to us all." On hearing the news, Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor, Archbishop of Westminster and President of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales, said: "I warmly welcome the appointment of Rowan Williams to succeed George Carey as Archbishop of Canterbury. As a theologian of distinction, a man of deep spirituality and a gifted communicator he will, I have no doubt, prove to be a force for great good in this country and throughout the Christian world. "These are challenging times for Christians leaders. I look forward to working closely with Archbishop Rowan Williams in facing those challenges, just as I do now alongside Archbishop George Carey." The President of the British Methodist Conference, the Rev Ian White, said: "On behalf of the Methodist Church, I offer the greetings and prayers of the Methodist people to Dr Williams on his appointment as Archbishop of Canterbury. His appointment comes at a significant moment in the life of our two churches as we enter into conversations on a Covenant between us and explore the partnership of our two traditions. Archbishop Rowan's skill as a leader, communicator and teacher will serve the Church and Nation well in the relationship between Church and Society, Faith and the 21st Century. I have sent him the greetings of the Methodist Church."

Adverts

Sisters of the Holy Cross

We offer publicity space for Catholic groups/organisations. See our advertising page if you would like more information.

We Need Your Support

ICN aims to provide speedy and accurate news coverage of all subjects of interest to Catholics and the wider Christian community. As our audience increases - so do our costs. We need your help to continue this work.

You can support our journalism by advertising with us or donating to ICN.

Mobile Menu Toggle Icon