Winchester Welcomes Welby

The Bishop of Winchester, The Rt Revd Tim Dakin said, “It’s exciting to hear that a new Archbishop of Canterbury has been named today and I speak for the whole Diocese in saying that Bishop Justin Welby can be assured of our prayers as he takes up this enormous task.

“We cannot welcome a new Archbishop without acknowledging with gratitude the decade of work and ministry of Archbishop Rowan Williams whom he succeeds. Leadership of the Anglican Communion is a task more demanding than any of us can imagine and we look to the Spirit of God to inspire and encourage Bishop Justin.

“He faces a range of challenges, expectations and complex issues that only his faithful walk with God will enable him to address and we look forward, with Anglicans around the world, to joining him on that path.”

Bishop Justin (top left) attended the consecration of the Rt Revd Tim Dakin in January 2012. > Expand

Overwhelmed and Astonished

The Right Reverend Justin Welby, aged 56, is currently Bishop of Durham. He will be enthroned as Archbishop of Canterbury in Canterbury Cathedral on 21st March 2013.

He said today: "I don't think anyone could be more surprised than me at the outcome of this process. It has been an experience, reading more about me than I knew myself. To be nominated to Canterbury is at the same time overwhelming and astonishing. It is overwhelming because of those I follow, and the responsibility it has. It is astonishing because it is something I never expected to happen.

“One of the hardest things will be to leave Durham. I work with a group of wonderful senior colleagues and remarkable clergy and lay people. It is an astonishing part of the country, one which as a family we were greatly looking forward to living in for many years. The people are direct, inspiring and wonderfully friendly. In many ways it has been the ancient cradle of British Christianity. It is a place of opportunity and an even greater future than its past.”

Williams 'delighted'

Dr Rowan Williams issued the following statement:
"I am delighted at the appointment of the Right Reverend Justin Welby to Canterbury. I have had the privilege of working closely with him on various occasions and have always been enriched and encouraged by the experience.

He has an extraordinary range of skills and is a person of grace, patience, wisdom and humour; he will bring to this office both a rich pastoral experience and a keen sense of international priorities, for Church and world. I wish him - with Caroline and the family - every blessing, and hope that the Church of England and the Anglican Communion will share my pleasure at this appointment and support him with prayer and love."