Anglicans Seek Views On Profile Of Next Archbishop Of Canterbury’s Ministry

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For the first time in history worldwide members of the Anglican Communion are being asked to share their views on the ministry of the next archbishop of Canterbury, reports the Anglican Communion News Service, or ACNS.

ACNS nots that the Crown Nominations Commission of the Church of England — the body that nominates the next archbishop of Canterbury — traditionally asks for the views of all primates and provincial secretaries of the 38 provinces of the Anglican Communion.

But that has changed this time, according to ACNS, as not only has a primate been invited to join the commission, “but a letter has also been sent to provinces to be read in Anglican Communion churches inviting everyone to share their thoughts about the ministry of the next archbishop.”

ACNS noted that its hoped  clergy will receive the letter (translated in several languages) from their primate or bishop and read it “in church so Anglicans and Episcopalians around the world know of and can respond to the commission’s request.”

ACNS reported that the letter was sent by the Rev. Canon Kenneth Kearon, secretary general of the Anglican Communion, on behalf of the commission, and states: “The archbishop of Canterbury exercises many roles — he is bishop of the Diocese of Canterbury, primate of the Church of England, and focus of unity for the Anglican Communion.”

The letter continues: “The process of seeking the next archbishop is led by the Crown Nominations Commission of the Church of England and extensive consultations within the U.K. have begun with various representatives of the Church of England, other Christian denominations, other faiths and wider church life. Members of the Church of England are also invited to share in this process.”

“The commission wishes to offer the same opportunity to other members of the Anglican Communion. It is seeking your views on the priorities for the ministry of the next archbishop to enable the members of the commission to have as rich a picture as possible as they begin their work.”

One thought on “Anglicans Seek Views On Profile Of Next Archbishop Of Canterbury’s Ministry

  • April 5, 2012 at 11:10 pm
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    I think it’s critical that the next Archbishop (a) uphold the sanctity of Holy Scripture as the inspired word of God; (b) that he be prepared to call churches and dioceses and individual bishops to account when they make public pronouncements that deviate sharply from the core beliefs that all Christians share as articulated in the Nicene Creed and the Apostles Creed. Where apostasy exists, it needs to be identified for what it is–not papered over in the name of political correctness; (c) that he be prepared to lead boldly the world wide Anglican Communion in responding to what our Lord asked all those who follow Him to do as articulated in the Great Commission–i.e. to heal the sick and to carry the Gospel message to the entire world. We must have a vibrant leader prepared to articulate a bold vision as to how we are going to bring in the harvest of souls who do not yet know our Lord and Saviour. If we settle for anything short of this, we collectively as a Communion will be called to account by our Lord Jesus as to why we were “lukewarm” rather than gathering in the harvest of lost souls from the fields that are white with the harvest.

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