(CEN) Martin Beckford—Does anyone want to be Archbishop of Canterbury?

Posted by Kendall Harmon

...front-runners to succeed Rowan are not just coyly denying any interest in the post – they are actively saying it is an impossible one.
First to make this claim was Nick Baines (currently at 7/1 to move into Lambeth Palace, according to William Hill’s odds), who declared on his blog last September: “You’d have to be out of your mind to want to be Archbishop of Canterbury.

“My guess is that whoever is asked to do it next will have to be dragged to the seat.”

{and]...Graham James said: “I have served as a chaplain to an Archbishop of Canterbury and it was an impossible job then, and I think it’s more impossible now. Only those who don’t recognise its difficulties could possibly want to do it.”

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Filed under: * Anglican - Episcopal • Archbishop of Canterbury • --Rowan Williams • Anglican Provinces • Church of England (CoE) • CoE Bishops • * Culture-Watch • Religion & Culture • * International News & Commentary • England / UK

6 Comments
Posted March 30, 2012 at 9:05 am [Printer Friendly] [Print w/ comments]



1. Henry Greville wrote:

In the lore of Rome, some Popes had to be more or less shoved into office against their will who turned out to be faithful servants of Christ and good leaders of the Church at the same time. Maybe it is time for the such a blessing for the see of Canterbury, CofE, and Anglican Communion.

March 30, 11:09 am | [comment link]
2. clarin wrote:

Bishop Baines (who is usally awestruck by Rowan Williams) remarks:
“You’d have to be out of your mind to want to be Archbishop of Canterbury.”
Well, he’d better watch what he says on his blog now, because his new Member of Parliament for Bradford is George Galloway of the Muslim party “Respect” and the #1 fan of the Late Saddam Hussein (pbuh). We look forward to some incisive social commentary on this from Bshop Baines.
/crickets

March 30, 11:16 am | [comment link]
3. David Keller wrote:

OK. OK. I’ll do it.

March 30, 3:19 pm | [comment link]
4. Archer_of_the_Forest wrote:

I think we ought to do like the Coptic church does to picture the Coptic pope: Get a handful of names and let a little child pick out the name.

March 30, 4:54 pm | [comment link]
5. Anastasios wrote:

I like the old story of the man elected archbishop. When told of the selection, he humbly bowed his head stating: “I am not worthy. I am not worthy. I am not worthy.” Then, looking up with a smile, he added: “But then, who is? I accept!”

March 30, 7:45 pm | [comment link]
6. David Hein wrote:

Geoffrey Fisher had a harder time deciding to take on London—with its huge number of churches and mess of contending parties—than he did, later, accepting the Canterbury post.

The job is not impossible for an adroit administrator with clear convictions. These days being president of a struggling, small liberal-arts college is probably harder.

March 31, 1:09 pm | [comment link]
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