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Appointment of the next Archbishop of Canterbury

22 January 2002

The Archbishops' Council has called on all members of the Church of England to pray for all those involved in the processes surrounding the selection of the next Archbishop of Canterbury. In a statement issued from its meeting in Woking today, the Council said:

'The selection of the next Archbishop of Canterbury is of crucial importance not only to the Church of England but to the spiritual life of the nation and of the world-wide Anglican Communion. The recent report by Lord Hurd of Westwell has underlined the many different dimensions of the role - ecumenical and interfaith, as well as national and international - and the challenges and opportunities each dimension offers for the Gospel.

'In the Church and in the world, the role of the Archbishop in presiding as spiritual leader of over 70 million Anglicans world-wide is more than ever recognised, thanks not least to the tireless work of Archbishop George Carey for mission, for justice and for peace. A sacred responsibility now rests on the members of the Crown Appointments Commission and everyone else involved in the selection of Archbishop George's successor. We ask all members of the Church of England, as well as those in partner churches, to focus in the coming months on sustained prayer for all involved that, working with the Holy Spirit, God's will for His Church may be done.'
ends

NOTES
Outline of procedures for the appointment of an Archbishop of Canterbury

o The Archbishop of Canterbury having informed the Queen of his intentions and Her Majesty having accepted the resignation, the Archbishop announces his decision and the date of his retirement; the Privy Council subsequently declares the See and Archbishopric of Canterbury vacant.

o The Prime Minister, after consultation, appoints a communicant lay member of the Church of England to chair the Crown Appointments Commission, which oversees the selection of a new Archbishop of Canterbury.

o The Vacancy-In-See Committee in the Diocese of Canterbury meets to:
- produce a Statement of Needs (the diocese's assessment of the qualities and skills required of the next occupant).
- choose four members to sit on the Crown Appointments Commission.

o The Crown Appointments Commission is formed, comprising the Chair, the four members from the diocese, the Archbishop of York, a bishop elected by the bishops to take the place of the retiring Archbishop and the three clergy and three lay members elected by General Synod as standing members. (In addition, the Secretary General of the Anglican Consultative Council, the Archbishops' Appointments Secretary and the Prime Minister's Appointments Secretary are non-voting members.)

o Names are suggested to the members of the CAC, from a wide variety of sources including the general public. The members decide which names to put forward for formal consideration by the Commission.

o The Crown Appointments Commission meets, following an extensive consultation process. The gathering continues over two and a half days - in three phases:
- Review of background material gathered from consultations in the diocese, the Church and the wider country, including the Vacancy-In-See Committee's Statement of Needs.
- Consideration of candidates
- Shortlisting and voting: through prayer, discussion and voting, two names are elected, each of which commands a two-thirds majority of the Commission.

o The Commission sends the two names to the Prime Minister for consideration.

o Assuming he is content with them, the Prime Minister commends one of those names to the Queen. (The Prime Minister may request a further name or names through the same Commission process). Once the chosen candidate has indicated a willingness to serve, 10 Downing Street announces the name of the Archbishop-designate.

o The Archbishop-designate is presented at a news conference.

o The Dean and Chapter of the diocese of Canterbury formally elect the new Archbishop of Canterbury. The election is confirmed in a legal ceremony.

o The new Archbishop takes up office and is formally enthroned at Canterbury Cathedral.