ANGLICAN SPIRITUAL LEADER: Welby speaks to Britain’s Prince Charles after his enthronement ceremony at Canterbury Cathedraly. — Reuters photo
CANTERBURY, United Kingdom: Justin Welby, the new Archbishop of Canterbury, was enthroned on Thursday, taking over the leadership of 80 million Anglicans worldwide in a service calling for Christian unity that was enlivened by African dancers.
Welby, a 57-year-old former oil executive, was formally sworn in as spiritual head of the Church of England in front of 2,000 guests at Canterbury Cathedral, including Prime Minister David Cameron and heir to the throne Prince Charles.
The inauguration service in the 12th-century cathedral in southeast England included some unusual touches.
There was Punjabi music, a blessing in French and an organ improvisation section, while west African drummers filled the nave with a thunderous rhythm.
“It’s got quite a good reverberation, this cathedral,” Welby quipped afterwards.
For the first time in history, a woman installed the 105th archbishop of Canterbury in his diocesan seat.
Taking Welby by the hand, Sheila Watson, Archdeacon of Canterbury, played an integral role in the service which marks the formal start of Welby’s ministry as he takes over from Rowan Williams.
He was also enthroned as Primate of All England on the marble Chair of St Augustine, which dates back to at least 1205.
The service took place just two days after Pope Francis, the new leader of the world’s 1.2 billion Roman Catholics, was inaugurated.
The pontiff sent a message of goodwill to Welby, saying he hoped to meet him soon and uphold the “fraternal” rapport between their Churches.
Since taking office in February, Welby has not shied away from taking on the government, saying welfare reforms would harm vulnerable children. — AFP