Tag: Archbishop of Canterbury

Ecumenical and Interfaith leaders respond to the election of Pope Francis

Surveying what the ecumenical crowd has to say about this papal election is mixed at best. Time will tell about our interfaith friends, namely the Jewish and Muslim communities. It is said that Pope Francis has had very strong friendships with the Jewish community of Argentina.


On Wednesday night when Pope Francis was introduced to the world on the loggia he said, “And now let us begin this journey, the bishop and people, this journey of the Church of Rome which presides in charity over all the churches, a journey of brotherhood in love, of mutual trust. Let us always pray for one another. Let us pray for the whole world that there might be a great sense of brotherhood.”

Pope Francis Portrait Painting

Pope Francis Portrait Painting (Photo credit: faithmouse)

His All Holiness the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew (of Constantinople) will attend the enthronement of the newly-elected Pope of Rome on March 19. This is the first time since 1054 that Orthodox bishops will be in attendance. Bartholomew will be accompanied by the Metropolitan of Pergamum, John (Zizoulas), the Metropolitan of Buenos Aires, Tarasios (a native of San Antonio, Texas) and the Metropolitan of Italy, Gennadios.

The Russian Orthodox Church’s Department for External Relations, Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk, spoke on Thursday that he thought a meeting between the Pope Francis and Patriarch Kirill of Moscow was “possible but the place and timing will depend on how quickly we will overcome the consequences of the conflicts from the turn of 1980s and 1990s.” Hilarion notes, “on several occasions, Pope Francis has shown spiritual sympathy towards the Orthodox Church and a desire for closer contacts.” The Orthodox still refuse to accept the fact that some Christians in the Byzantine East want, in their own freedom, be in communion with the bishop of Rome. Tensions run high when it comes to thinking about the Ukrainian Byzantine Church using the title of Patriarch for their head and the existence of Latin Catholic dioceses in Russia.

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Continue reading Ecumenical and Interfaith leaders respond to the election of Pope Francis

Justin Welby appointed 105th Archbishop of Canterbury

Justin and Caroline Welby.JPGThe 77 million Anglican Church has a new Archbishop of Canterbury with the appointment of Bishop Justin Welby, 57, as the 105th Ordinary of Canterbury, and successor of Saint Augustine. He was joined by his wife Caroline and his family, including he two-month old grand-daughter.

Spiritually formed by Ignatian and Benedictine spiritualities and makes the claim to have a Benedictine monk as a spiritual director, Justin Welby also says he’s been formed by Catholic Social Teaching. In the Anglican world Welby is an upper-class Englishman who attended Holy Trinity Brompton Church, an posh evangelical community that’s been highly influential in the CoE; educated at Eton College, and Trinity College, Cambridge.

He’s only been a bishop since 2011 and bishop of Durham, the 4th diocese of importance in England. Welby succeeds Archbishop Rowan Williams who is stepping down to pursue an academic appointment as Master of Magdalen College, Cambridge University.
Archbishop Justin Welby’s press release is noted here.
The posistion of Archbishop of Canterbury is vetted by a committee, approved by the Prime Minister of England and promoted by the monarch. The Canons of the Canterbury Cathedral will have to formally elected Welby as archbishop in January.
Some have said that Welby is just another face of the left-leaning establishment of the Church of England who seeks to “update” the Church with women clergy, a liberal approach to economy, and support for LGBT causes, and other matters of social concern. It must be noted Justine Welby says he’s not in favor of same sex marriage. The same commenters say that there’s really no change at Lambeth.
Archbishop Welbly will be enthroned in March. Cardinal Kurt Koch will be the Holy See’s representative. It is expected that shortly thereafter he will pay a visit to Pope Benedict XVI.
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