Archbishop Williams Resigns

[Serial_Apologist]

Christopher Cocksworth and James Langstaff would look to make a nice couple



Sorry, I'll get me cassock

[Serial_Apologist]

What, no women on the list ?

Paul Butler??

Richard Chartres - invited in from the Anglo-Catholic French wing, presumably.

[scottycelt]

Well, now..............

Where next for the Anglican Church?? And who will lead?

None of my business, i know, but Rowan Williams always seems such a desperately nice, gentle and intelligent chap ... good luck to him in his new role

Still I hope the Anglicans go for someone like Sentamu this time ... a black Archbishop of Canterbury is surely overdue (as is a black Pope?), and he is a fearless warrior unafraid to stand up to politicians and current politically-correct diktat ... and he certainly speaks the language of the 'ordinary' man in the pew.

No wonder he is favourite for the job ... but I'll be genuinely surprised if he is appointed!

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

None of my business, i know, but Rowan Williams always seems such a desperately nice, gentle and intelligent chap ... good luck to him in his new role

I hope he continues to contribute to Poetry journals and discussions: he has fine, individual insights. I cherish the "Notes on Contributors" in Echoes to the Amen: Essays after R.S.Thomas - after the list of the "Readers", "Senior Lecturers", "Professors", "Archivists" and "Institute Directors", it ends "Rowan Williams is Archbishop of Canterbury". Top that, guys!

[VodkaDilc]

None of my business, i know, but Rowan Williams always seems such a desperately nice, gentle and intelligent chap ... good luck to him in his new role

Still I hope the Anglicans go for someone like Sentamu this time ... a black Archbishop of Canterbury is surely overdue (as is a black Pope?), and he is a fearless warrior unafraid to stand up to politicians and current politically-correct diktat ... and he certainly speaks the language of the 'ordinary' man in the pew.

No wonder he is favourite for the job ... but I'll be genuinely surprised if he is appointed!

I agree that it's likely that Sentamu will miss out - he's upset Dave by disagreeing about the gay marriage issue. Are there any old Etonian bishops? If so, they must be in with a good chance.

[french frank]

I agree that it's likely that Sentamu will miss out - he's upset Dave by disagreeing about the gay marriage issue. .

And writing a column for Murdoch's Sun on Sunday, free of charge ...

[BBMmk2]

Wonder if it will be the Bishop of York?

[Lateralthinking1]

Wonder if it will be the Bishop of York?

I don't blame RW for sensing that there could be a split in the C of E and not wanting to be seen as the Archbishop responsible. He's probably looked at the way Baroness Williams has been used and doesn't want a tarnished legacy.

I predict that the analysis on the gay marriage consultation will be drawn out until a successor is appointed. They can always also filibuster if they can't manage it as they want. So the appointment will be political. It will have to be someone who can live with HMG's decision. We will probably have the unedifying spectacle of really ambitious contenders shifting their positions accordingly.

I don't think there is anyone obvious. Baines looks like one for the smart money - 54, radio friendly, ex-GCHQ. If they want young, unmarried and an ex oil executive, Welby. Cottrell is in a strong position as a liberal and Cocksworth as a conservative. Stephens is the head of the bishops in the Lords and is political. That sounds like establishment but the Government might see him as a threat.

Setamu is the most interesting. Independent and outspoken which is good. A publicist which isn't necessarily. Black which runs in his favour. A bit tricky for the politicians on the gay marriage issue. He will be appointed if the Government has confidence. If it doesn't, he won't be. From a climate change perspective, I like the fact that he chose to have two kids whereas some have had four or five. Most importantly, he's a York City supporter. Anyone who has enjoyed football at Bootham Crescent can't be all bad.

[french frank]

I think being AoC these days is a poisoned chalice and RW may be relieved to have done his 10-year stint and to get back to his even more 'spiritual' home. A good place to retire to.

I'm not too sure where the AoY stands on a range of issues, but from what I know I suspect he would simply shift the balance towards the conservative wing. I'm not sure that he has the sensitivity to deal with sensitive issues. Does he read the newspapers or watch the television news?

[gurnemanz]

Setamu is the most interesting. Independent and outspoken which is good.

These attributes may count against him. The grey suits (grey cassocks?) may prefer a safer choice, a bit like the FA when they rejected Brian Clough as England manager.

[amateur51]

What, no women on the list ?

Oh how you made me laugh, MrGG - many thanks

How can sensible people discuss this anachronism sensibly?

[french frank]

How can sensible people discuss this anachronism sensibly?

We're doing our best

[amateur51]

We're doing our best

Indeed, and thus you become part of the problem

Don't you come complaining to me about the lack of women bishops

[vinteuil]

I



Setamu is the most interesting. Independent and outspoken which is good. A publicist which isn't necessarily. Black which runs in his favour. A bit tricky for the politicians on the gay marriage issue. .

hmmm. I rather tend to the Guardian commentator's view of John Sentamu -

Bookies' early favourite, though at 63 would be older than Williams. Loud, self-confident, a relentless self-publicist and ambitious. Originally a refugee from Uganda, where he became a judge and narrowly escaped execution by Idi Amin, he would be the first black archbishop of Canterbury and for that reason a populist choice. Many bishops, though, suspect his intellectual coherence, consistency and judgement. He has come out against the government's plans for gay marriage – bad timing if he wants to endear himself to ministers – and also wrote what many regard as an over-effusive column, welcoming Rupert Murdoch's new Sun on Sunday with a "wow!"

[handsomefortune]

the bookies 'early favourite' sounds like hell on earth. Loud, self-confident, a relentless self-publicist and ambitious. a 'god helps those who help themselves' sort then!

Baines looks like one for the smart money - 54, radio friendly, ex-GCHQ.

gchq - the tv shopping channel, and he's got the hang of radio too? wow

If they want young, unmarried and an ex oil executive,

but i thought 'they' were religious, rather than just plain stupid.

can't the existing one stay on? he could pretend to be an asistant, a bit like putin once manoeuvred, get round the rules that way. i wonder what the almighty bookies would think of the odds on that!

if criteria is not going to be based on more worthwhile aspects of cofe faith, such as social harmony, peace & spirituality, then why not choose a new bunch, and hold an egg & spoon race to decide?