CANTERBURY: The new Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby (pictured), was enthroned yesterday, taking over the leadership of 80 million Anglicans worldwide.
Welby, a 57-year-old former oil executive, was formally sworn in as head of the Church of England in front of 2,000 guests at Canterbury Cathedral including Prime Minister David Cameron and heir to the throne Prince Charles.
For the first time in history, a woman enthroned the archbishop.
The Venerable Sheila Watson, Archdeacon of Canterbury, played a key role in the service which marks the formal start of Welby’s ministry as he takes over from Rowan Williams.
In his sermon, Welby said he wanted to foster closer ties with other Christians and heal splits within the Anglican communion which is deeply divided over the issue of women bishops.
AFP
