*** DEBUG START ***
*** DEBUG END ***

The next Archbishop of Canterbury

by
19 October 2012

iStock

From the Revd Alwyn H. G. Jones

Sir, - The rumour machine is grinding away about the choice of the next Archbishop of Canterbury, and we hope that fervent prayer is being offered. The fact that the Bishop of Durham has not been in episcopal orders a year was thought to be a disadvantage.

We should remember that Basil Hume was a priest when appointed to Westminster, and today few question his outstanding ministry. St Ambrose was not baptised when he was elected Bishop of Milan, but I doubt if the net will be cast as wide on this occasion.

ALWYN H. G. JONES
1 Upper York St
Bristol BS2 8 NT

From Canon Ian Lovett

Sir, - I am sure that I ought to know, after many years of meandering through the confines of the Church of England, but it escapes me now: why it is that I am unable actually to cast my vote for the appointment of an archdeacon, bishop, or indeed archbishop.

IAN LOVETT
The Rectory, Fore Street
Northam
Devon EX39 1AW

From Canon John Goodchild

Sir, - The Anglican Communion is a free association, and the Archbishop of Canterbury has no extra-provincial powers. The Lambeth Conference is for fellowship, not regulation, and should make no resolutions or statements. If some bishops boycott the invitation to common prayer and study, they discredit only themselves. It may be sad, but it is their problem, not Canterbury's.

Canterbury should not waste time trying to devise covenants or other wheezes to keep unwilling partners together. He should relate to overseas bishops as a fellow bishop, earthed in his own diocese, which should benefit from his wider contacts.

JOHN GOODCHILD
39 St Michael's Road
Aigburth, Liverpool L17 7AN

Browse Church and Charity jobs on the Church Times jobsite

Letters to the editor

Letters for publication should be sent to letters@churchtimes.co.uk.

Letters should be exclusive to the Church Times, and include a full postal address. Your name and address will appear below your letter unless requested otherwise.

Forthcoming Events

Women Mystics: Female Theologians through Christian History

13 January - 19 May 2025

An online evening lecture series, run jointly by Sarum College and The Church Times

tickets available

 

Festival of Faith and Literature

28 February - 2 March 2025

tickets available

 

Visit our Events page for upcoming and past events 

The Church Times Archive

Read reports from issues stretching back to 1863, search for your parish or see if any of the clergy you know get a mention.

FREE for Church Times subscribers.

Explore the archive

Welcome to the Church Times

 

To explore the Church Times website fully, please sign in or subscribe.

Non-subscribers can read four articles for free each month. (You will need to register.)