comment on role of Archbishop of Canterbury

I was asked to write some comments for my own institution's media team in the light of an announcement being imminent about a new Archbishop of Canterbury. I didn't have much to say, but here's what I did.

Comment: Justin Welby will be 57 in January and is likely to serve as Archbishop for a maximum of 10 years. During this time he will: host a Lambeth Conference for Anglican archbishops from around the world (willing to participate with Christians from a diverse spectrum of views on key topics); look after matters in the Diocese of Canterbury; the southern half of the Church of England; share with the Archbishop of York responsibilities relating to bishops and the Church's synod; have a care for the whole Church of England; fulfil many national responsibilities including attending or leading special events or services and sitting in the House of Lords; have a care for and time to visit Anglican communities worldwide and offer wisdom and leadership for the worldwide Anglican Communion (and its consultative council); engage with the variety of Christian denominations and participate in national and international inter-faith dialogues; have a care for England as a whole, be faithful as a prayerful priest and loyal to the queen (to name but a few).

Additionally, writing, lecturing, preaching and listening, with love, are essential too. He'll consecrate a fair stack of bishops and lead countless acts of worship. Guarding time for family and developing the self are not optional, since remaining grounded and in ordinary human relationship can in no way be postponed.

As to the labouriousness of contributing to the shaping of an internal consensus on any hot or minor topic within English or global Anglicanism, this will be fatiguing and may often fail.

So what views Justin Welby has or what his background is or how experienced he is in life, church life, political and business life or any other part of 'real life' matters less than that he's understood to be capable of doing all this. The role is well beyond unenviable and merits our prayers, hopes or best wishes.

When it comes to a critique of the role-holder, my best advice is listen to church experts who do not need to feed a 24/7 news stream; read his writings and sermons; look for interviews with those who work with him or love him and treat the treacle of first headlines with faint regard.