Justin Welby

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The Most Revd and Rt Hon 
Justin Welby 
MA(Cantab), BA DipMin(Dunelm)[1]
Archbishop of Canterbury
Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury.jpg
Province Province of Canterbury
Diocese Diocese of Canterbury
Elected 10 January 2013[2]
Enthroned 21 March 2013
Predecessor Rowan Williams
Orders
Ordination
  • 1992 (deacon)
  • 1993 (priest)
Consecration 28 October 2011
Personal details
Birth name Justin Portal Welby
Born (1956-01-06) 6 January 1956 (age 57)
London, England, UK
Nationality British
Denomination Anglican
Residence Lambeth Palace, London
The Old Palace, Canterbury
Parents
  • Gavin Welby (d. 1977)
  • Jane Williams, Baroness Williams of Elvel
Spouse Caroline Eaton
Children 6 (one died in a car crash in infancy[3])
Previous post
Alma mater
Ordination history of Justin Welby
Diaconal ordination
Date of ordination 1992
Priestly ordination
Date of ordination 1993
Episcopal consecration
Date of consecration 28 October 2011

Justin Portal Welby (born 6 January 1956) is the 105th and current Archbishop of Canterbury and senior bishop in the Church of England.[4] As such, he is Primate of All England and the symbolic head of the worldwide Anglican Communion. He was formerly the Bishop of Durham, serving for just over a year.[5]

Welby's early career was in the oil industry. In 1989, he studied for ordination at St John's College, Durham. After several parochial appointments he became the Dean of Liverpool in 2007 and the Bishop of Durham in 2011.

Welby's theology is reported as representing the evangelical tradition within Anglicanism.[6] Some of his publications explore the relationship between finance and religion and, as a member of the House of Lords, he sits on the panel of the 2012 Parliamentary Commission on Banking Standards.

On 9 November 2012, the Prime Minister's office announced Welby's appointment as the next Archbishop of Canterbury and he was formally elected as on 10 January 2013 at a ceremony in Canterbury Cathedral.[7] He legally took office on 4 February 2013 at a ceremony in St Paul's Cathedral, although his public ministry as archbishop formally began with his enthronement service in Canterbury Cathedral which took place on 21 March 2013.

Contents

Early life and education [edit]

Welby was born in London, England. His father, known as Gavin Bramhall James Welby, was born Bernard Gavin Weiler, in Ruislip, West London, in 1910, and died in 1977.[8][9] His mother was Jane Gillian (née Portal). Welby's paternal grandfather was a German Jewish immigrant (Welby did not find out about his grandfather's ancestry until he was an adult).[9][10][11]

Welby's parents divorced in 1959, and his mother married Charles Williams in 1975 (when he was elevated to the House of Lords as a life peer in 1985, Charles Williams took the title of Baron Williams of Elvel.) Through his mother, Welby is the great-nephew of a former Conservative Deputy Prime Minister, Rab Butler, later Baron Butler of Saffron Walden; Welby's maternal great-grandfather, Sir Montagu Butler, was the father of Lord Butler and of Welby's grandmother, Iris Butler.

Welby was educated at St Peter's School, Seaford and Eton College and subsequently went to Trinity College, Cambridge where he received a B.A. degree in history and law in 1978.[12]

Business career [edit]

Welby worked for 11 years in the oil industry, five of them for the French oil company Elf Aquitaine based in Paris. In 1984 he became treasurer of the oil exploration group Enterprise Oil PLC in London, where he was mainly concerned with West African and North Sea oil projects. He retired from his executive position in 1989 and said that he sensed a calling from God to be ordained.[13]

During his oil industry career, Welby became a congregation member at the evangelical Anglican church of Holy Trinity in Brompton, London.[3]

Ministry [edit]

Welby was at first rejected for ordination by John Hughes, the Bishop of Kensington, who told him: “There is no place for you in the Church of England.”[14] Welby was subsequently accepted for ordination, with the support of the Vicar of Holy Trinity Brompton, Sandy Millar.

From 1989 to 1992, Welby studied theology and trained for the priesthood at Cranmer Hall and St John's College, Durham, where he was awarded a BA degree and DipMin in 1992 before becoming a curate at Chilvers Coton and St Mary the Virgin, Astley (Nuneaton) from 1992 to 1995. He then became rector of St James' Church, Southam, and later vicar of St Michael and All Angels, Ufton, Diocese of Coventry, from 1995 to 2002.[15]

In 2002, Welby was appointed a canon residentiary of Coventry Cathedral and the co-director for International Ministry at the International Centre for Reconciliation. In 2005, he was appointed Sub-Dean and Canon for Reconciliation Ministry.

Welby was appointed Dean of Anglican Liverpool Cathedral in December 2007 and was installed there on 8 December 2007.[16]

Welby has written widely on ethics and on finance, featuring in books such as Managing the Church?: Order and Organisation in a Secular Age and Explorations in Financial Ethics. Welby's dissertation, an exploration into whether companies can sin, marks his point that the structure of a system can "make it easier to make the right choice or the wrong choice."[17] His dissertation led to the publication of a booklet entitled Can Companies Sin?: "Whether", "How" and "Who" in Company Accountability, which was published by Grove Books in 1992.[18] He has said that the Benedictine and Franciscan orders in the Anglican churches, along with Catholic social teaching, have influenced his spiritual formation.[19]

Interviewed by the BBC in 2011, Welby said that to be appointed Bishop of Durham was both challenging and a huge privilege: “I was astonished to be offered the role. It is a passionate desire to see a church that is vigorously full of spiritual life, serving Jesus Christ and serving those around it.”[20] His election was confirmed at York Minster on 29 September 2011 and he left Liverpool Cathedral on 2 October. He was consecrated as a bishop at York Minster on 28 October 2011[21] and was enthroned as Bishop of Durham in Durham Cathedral on 26 November 2011. He was introduced to the House of Lords on 12 January 2012,[22][23] where he sits on the Lords Spiritual bench.[24] He gave his maiden speech on 16 May 2012.[25] He was asked to join the Parliamentary Commission on Banking Standards in 2012.

Archbishop of Canterbury [edit]

Welby emerged as a candidate to be the next Archbishop of Canterbury and, on 6 November 2012, the betmakers Betvictor, Ladbrokes and William Hill suspended betting on his being appointed.[26] On 9 November 2012, Welby's appointment to the position was announced. In January 2013, Welby said that he had regarded it as "a joke" and "perfectly absurd" for him to be appointed Archbishop of Canterbury, because he had only been a bishop for a short time.[27] His Confirmation of Election ceremony to the See of Canterbury occurred at St Paul's Cathedral on 4 February 2013[4] - on the following day it was announced that Welby would be appointed to the Privy Council of the United Kingdom (as all archbishops are);[28] the order for his appointment was made on 12 February[29] and he swore the oath on 13 March.[30] He was enthroned as the Archbishop of Canterbury in Canterbury Cathedral on 21 March 2013,[31] which in the calendar[32] of the Anglican Church is an observance of Thomas Cranmer.

Views [edit]

Women bishops [edit]

[icon] This section requires expansion. (April 2013)

Welby favours Anglican consecration of women bishops.[33] Following a rejection of female bishops by the General Synod in November 2012, Welby spoke of a "Very grim day, most of all for women priests and supporters".[33]

Same-sex marriage [edit]

Welby affirms "the Church of England's opposition to same-sex marriage", but at his first press conference spoke out strongly against homophobia and stated that he is "always averse to the language of exclusion, when what we are called to is to love in the same way as Jesus Christ loves us."[34] However, he has stated that he is open to "re-thinking" his views on these matters.[35] On the day of his enthronement he stated that he did not have doubts about the church's policy in opposing same-sex marriages but remained "challenged as to how we respond to it". "You see gay relationships that are just stunning in the quality of the relationship," he said adding that he had "particular friends where I recognise that and am deeply challenged by it".[36]

Personal life [edit]

Welby is married to Caroline (née Eaton) and they have had six children. In 1983, their seven-month-old daughter, Johanna, died in a car crash in France.[3] Welby later explained, "It was a very dark time for my wife Caroline and myself, but in a strange way it actually brought us closer to God."[37] Welby established a special day for bereaved parents in Coventry Cathedral. There is now an annual service commemorating the lives of children who have died. A book with the names of lost children is on display in the cathedral and anyone who has lost a child under any circumstances can ask for their child's name to be added to the book.[38]

He acknowledges his privileged education and upbringing, and has been praised for sending his own children to local state schools.[39]

Welby is a French speaker and Francophile, having lived and worked in France.[38] An announcement about his appointment as Bishop of Durham listed his hobbies as "most things French and sailing".[38][40]

Styles [edit]

  • Mr Justin Welby (1956–1992)
  • The Revd Justin Welby (1992–2002)
  • The Revd Canon Justin Welby (2002–2007)
  • The Very Revd Justin Welby (2007–2011)
  • The Rt Revd Justin Welby (2011–2013)
  • The Rt Revd The Lord Bishop of Durham (2011–2013)
  • The Most Revd Justin Welby (4–12 February 2013)[29]
  • The Most Revd (or "His Grace") The Lord Archbishop of Canterbury (4–12 February 2013)
  • The Most Revd and Rt Hon Justin Welby (12 February 2013 – present)
  • The Most Revd and Rt Hon (or "His Grace") The Lord Archbishop of Canterbury (12 February 2013 – present)

Arms [edit]

Arms of Justin Welby
Crest
(not applicable to prelates)
Escutcheon
Sable a Fess between three Fleurs-de-lys Argent
Motto
Per ignem per gladium

References [edit]

  1. ^ "Justin Welby appointed 105th Archbishop of Canterbury". Prime Minister's Office. 9 November 2012. Retrieved 1 April 2013. 
  2. ^ "Rt Revd Justin Welby announced as 105th Archbishop of Canterbury". Dean and Chapter of Canterbury Cathedral. 2012. Retrieved 1 April 2013. "On the 10th January 2013, the College of Canons will meet in the Chapter House of the Cathedral to elect Bishop Justin as the new Archbishop, having received a Congé d’Elire from the Crown." 
  3. ^ a b c Mick Ord (8 November 2012). "Profile: Anglican Bishop of Durham Justin Welby". BBC News. Retrieved 8 November 2012. 
  4. ^ a b "Justin Welby becomes Archbishop of Canterbury". BBC News. 4 February 2013. Retrieved 1 April 2013. 
  5. ^ "Diocese of Durham – New Bishop-Designate of Durham Announced". Durham Anglican. Retrieved 1 October 2012. 
  6. ^ "Justin Welby set to become new Archbishop of Canterbury". BBC News. 8 November 2012. Retrieved 8 November 2012. 
  7. ^ Canterbury Cathedral – Welby announced as 105th Archbishop
  8. ^ "Person Page 8009". The Peerage. Retrieved 7 November 2012. 
  9. ^ a b The Archbishop’s father, his secret wife, an affair with a Kennedy and defaming a Labour Cabinet Minister - Telegraph
  10. ^ "Biography Justin Welby". Archbishop of Canterbury.org. 9 November 2012. Retrieved 10 November 2012. 
  11. ^ Lewis, Jason (2 December 2012). "Jews who fled the Nazis: secrets of Justin Welby's family tree". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 1 April 2013. 
  12. ^ "News & Press Release (2007), Coventry Cathedral". Retrieved 18 April 2008. [dead link]
  13. ^ Colchester, Max (30 September 2012). "British Banks Face Heat From on High". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 1 October 2012. 
  14. ^ Moreton, Cole (11 November 2012), "Archbishop of Canterbury: 'You have no future in the Church'", Sunday Telegraph
  15. ^ Premier Christian Media. "Welcome Welby". Retrieved 2 December 2012. 
  16. ^ "The Queen approves new Dean". Number10.gov.uk. 2007. Retrieved 1 October 2012. [dead link]
  17. ^ Fraser, Giles (20 July 2012). "The Saturday interview: Justin Welby, Bishop of Durham". The Guardian. Retrieved 1 October 2012. 
  18. ^ http://www.webcitation.org/6DMotESNm
  19. ^ Bingham, John. New Archbishop Justin Welby pledges re-think on gay relationships. The Telegraph. Retrieved 10 November 2012. 
  20. ^ "New Bishop of Durham is announced". BBC News. Retrieved 2 June 2011. 
  21. ^ "Consecrations of the Bishops of Durham and Penrith". Diocese of York. 28 October 2011. Retrieved 1 October 2012. 
  22. ^ "Durham Anglican News and Events". Durham. 17 May 2012. Retrieved 1 October 2012. 
  23. ^ Introduction to the Lords|http://www.aegies-associates.com/news-blog/bishop-of-durham-introduced-to-house-of-lords.html
  24. ^ "Biographies; The Lords: Justin Welby". UK Parliament. 3 June 2010. Retrieved 1 October 2012. 
  25. ^ "House of Lords Maiden Speech: 16 May 2012". Durham. Retrieved 7 November 2012. 
  26. ^ "Bookmakers suspend betting on Bishop of Durham being named next Archbishop of Canterbury". The Independent. Retrieved 6 November 2012. 
  27. ^ Gledhill, Ruth (31 January 2013) "Welby: my application for Canterbury was a joke", The Times
  28. ^ Number 10 – Privy Council appointment Accessed 5 February 2013
  29. ^ a b Orders in Council – 12 February 2013
  30. ^ Orders in Council – 13 March 2013
  31. ^ "Justin Welby is enthroned as Archbishop of Canterbury". BBC. Retrieved 21 March 2013. 
  32. ^ Church of England calender
  33. ^ a b Gundy, Trevor (9 November 2012). "Justin Welby named next archbishop of Canterbury". Retrieved 10 November 2012. "Welby's appointment is expected to seal a vote in favor of allowing women bishops at a special meeting of the Church of England's General Synod held in London later this month." 
  34. ^ Blake, Daniel (8 November 2012). "Justin Welby to Be Named New Archbishop of Canterbury, Described as 'Unashamedly Evangelical'". The Christian Post. Retrieved 14 November 2012. "Welby is known to support the biblical definition of marriage as between one man and one woman; he is against same sex marriage and is opposed to homosexuals serving as bishops." 
  35. ^ Bingham, John. "New Archbishop Justin Welby pledges re-think on gay relationships". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 10 November 2012. "The Bishop of Durham, Justin Welby, who was formally announced as successor to Dr Rowan Williams yesterday, insisted that he supported the Church of England's opposition to same-sex marriage." 
  36. ^ Walker, Peter (2013-03-21). "Archbishop of Canterbury admits to gay 'challenge' for church". The Guardian. Retrieved 2013-03-23. 
  37. ^ Neil McKay (3 June 2011). "New Bishop of Durham left oil industry after daughter's death". The Journal. Retrieved 8 November 2012. 
  38. ^ a b c Jayne Lutwyche and Karen Millington (9 November 2012). "The new Archbishop of Canterbury: 10 lesser-known things". BBC News. Retrieved 9 November 2012. 
  39. ^ http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/nov/08/justin-welby-archbishop-canterbury-business
  40. ^ "New Bishop of Durham" (Press release). 10 Downing Street: Diocese of Durham. 2 June 2011. 

External links [edit]

Church of England titles
Preceded by
Rupert Hoare		 Dean of Liverpool
2007–2011		 Succeeded by
Pete Wilcox
Preceded by
Tom Wright		 Bishop of Durham
2011–2013		 Succeeded by
Vacant
Preceded by
Rowan Williams		 Archbishop of Canterbury
2013–present		 Incumbent
Order of precedence in England and Wales
Preceded by
Prince Michael of Kent		 Gentlemen
as Archbishop of Canterbury		 Succeeded by
The Rt Hon Chris Grayling MP
as Lord Chancellor
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