Time to change
A MOMENTOUS month for Christianity reached its climax yesterday afternoon with Justin Welby’s enthronement as Archbishop of Canterbury just 48 hours after world leaders had gathered in Rome for the inauguration of Pope Francis.
Yet, while there is a 20-year age gap between the two men, the new Archbishop would be advised to take note of the unstuffy image of a humble new Pontiff that contrasts sharply from the starchiness of his own predecessor.
In becoming “a poor Church, for the poor”, the new Pope has provided a very clear lead for Catholics that the new Archbishop of Canterbury needs to emulate with his stewardship of the Church of England. For, in recent times, the CoE has been pre-occupied with internal strife over gay marriage and women bishops rather than reaching out to the country. It is a mindset that needs to change, and the Archbishop’s enthronement provides just such an opportunity.