FOREMOST in the mind of Justin Welby, Archbishop-designate, will
be the tasks that lie ahead. There are the political demands, of
course, both internal, about which more below, and in relation to
society at large, presenting Christianity as integral, yet
distinct, challenging, yet attractive. Then there are the financial
ones. The C of E is not a secret society, where the inmost
mysteries are revealed only after initiation to the top post. Every
interested observer can know the constrictions on ministry caused
by the shortages of priests, youth workers, administrators, etc.,
and the money to pay them. The Archbishop-designate is diffident
about his business acumen, but this will have been one of the
attributes that recommended him to the selectors.
The financial demands on the Church in the UK will appear
minuscule when compared with the balance sheet of the worldwide
Communion. As the dream of a body unified by a covenantal agreement
recedes, new ways must be found to reforge the bonds that have
sustained the Communion from its beginnings, in a world where an
affection for England in general and Canterbury in particular can
no longer be relied upon. Generosity is the key, and Bishop Welby's
intimacy with Nigeria is clearly an asset in relations with the
Global South.
His inexperience as a bishop could also be seen as an asset when
contemplating these tasks. He knows from the start that he will
have to rely on his colleagues. Having spent his formative years
outside the clergy, he will have no inhibitions about looking
beyond the bench of bishops to able laypeople. He is sincere and
honest. They are already hard at work in the Lord's vineyard, and
the Archbishop-designate has much experience and affection to draw
upon.
First, though, comes next week's General Synod vote about women
bishops, in which Bishop Welby's opinion will be just one among
477. There are many reasons for voting against the Measure: the
provision for those opposed to women bishops is insecure,
particularly for the laity; the ministry of future women bishops
might be compromised by the legislation; there is, for some,
insufficient agreement for such a significant change. There is one
reason to vote for it: a belief that it is profoundly right to open
the whole of the ordained ministry to women, and that, after more
than three decades of debating, there is nothing to be gained by
delaying further.
It is not difficult to share the view, held by both sides for
different reasons, that the present Measure could be improved upon.
But the issue for those contemplating a vote against it is not
whether better legislation could be devised, but whether it could
ever be agreed. If the present Measure falls next week, both sides
are likely to put forward tougher, simpler, less compromising
proposals. We see no greater prospect of agreement, and this is the
view of roughly half the readers who responded to our question on
this matter last week.
Whatever the outcome of the vote, the conduct of the Church over
these next few days is all important. Moderation, sincerity,
respect for those who disagree, trustworthiness - with these
qualities in evidence, the Church can work towards a future when
the ministry of men and women is appreciated equally.