Following the announcement last week of his resignation as the Archbishop of Canterbury, Archbishop Justin intends to complete his official duties by the upcoming Feast of Epiphany (6^th January). Archbishop Justin intends very little public-facing activity between now and Epiphany, but plans to honour a small number of remaining commitments. At Epiphany, the Archbishop of Canterbury’s official functions will be delegated to the Archbishop of York – more details will be provided on this in due course. The date on which Archbishop Justin formally ceases to hold office will be set in agreement with the Privy Council.

Comment

Selection of new Archbishop of Canterbury

The House of Commons Library document How is a new Archbishop of Canterbury chosen? states:

“Under section 4 of the Bishops (Retirement) Measure 1986, an archbishop tenders their resignation to the King (“in a written instrument in the prescribed form”), which is followed by an Order in Council declaring the archbishopric vacant. An Order in Council requires a meeting of the Privy Council, which can be held at relatively short notice.

The process of appointing a successor is likely to take several months. Rowan Williams (now Lord Williams of Oystermouth) announced his resignation as Archbishop of Canterbury in March 2012 but Justin Welby’s appointment was not announced until November 2012. His “election” followed in February 2013 and he was enthroned at Canterbury Cathedral in March 2013.”

The subsequent work of the Crown Nomination Committee is subject to the General Synod Standing Orders, 139 to 141A, in particular Standing Order 139: Nominations Commission: archiepiscopal vacancy. Under Standing Order 141 (1). Crown Nominations Commission: business and procedure, The Crown Nominations Commission “may, subject to this Standing Order, regulate its own business and procedure”.

Guardianship of the spiritualities

Canon C 19 Of guardians of spiritualities states:

1. Wherever the archiepiscopal see be vacant the guardianship of the spiritualities belongs to the metropolitical church of the province and the Chapter of that church shall exercise the spiritual jurisdiction of the province and diocese during the vacancy.

[…]

3. The guardian or guardians of the spiritualities exercise the spiritual jurisdiction of the diocese during the vacancy, including any functions conferred on it or them by or under any enactment:

4. Provided that their powers do not extend to such matters as are excluded from their jurisdiction by the laws of the realm, or to the presentation to benefices sede vacante of which the archbishop or bishop is patron, which presentation belongs to the Crown by royal prerogative, or to functions which may lawfully be delegated to another bishop during the vacancy.

With thanks to Dennis Lennox and Simon Sarmiento.