Following the resignation of Justin Welby from his position as the Archbishop of Canterbury, the public has been encouraged to suggest candidates for the role. The Crown Nominations Commission (CNC) will nominate the next spiritual leader of the worldwide Anglican Church, with the consultation running until 28 March.
There will be no formal advert for the position, meaning that candidates will be “invited in” to the process instead. Although historically the successful individual will have held senior leadership positions either in the Church or elsewhere in the Anglican Communion, the Church of England has encouraged input from a range of sources to ensure the right person for the role. Candidates must be aged 30 or over and generally under 70.
Notably, for the first time a 20-member panel will include five members from the Anglican Church abroad, including the Anglican Church of North America and the Anglican Church of Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia. The panel will meet throughout May, July, and September to reflect, pray, and nominate an individual who will require the votes of two-thirds of the 17 voting members.
Mr Welby stepped down after a report showed the Church of England’s mishandling of a prominent child abuser associated with the Church. John Smyth, who had abused over 120 boys and young men since the late 1970s, was said to have been dealt with inadequately by the Church. Mr Welby’s “personal and moral responsibility” was highlighted in the report and he subsequently resigned. However, he was criticized by abuse victims for making jokes during his farewell speech at the House of Lords. Mr Welby apologized for his actions the following day.
Overall, the Church of England is expected to select an accomplished candidate who is capable of leading the Anglican Church through a time of extreme sensitivity and change. With the public encouraged to submit names to the CNC, the hope is that the best possible candidate will be selected
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