Archbishop Of Canterbury Enthroned
The Most Rev Justin Welby is confirmed as the 105th Archbishop of Canterbury in the presence of Prince Charles and David Cameron.
Thursday 21 March 2013 02:45, UK
The Most Rev Justin Welby has been enthroned as the new Archbishop of Canterbury at the city's cathedral.
The service - which featured Punjabi music, African dancers and drummers and an organ improvisation - was attended by dignitaries including Prince Charles and Prime Minister David Cameron.
The ceremony got under way despite protesters gathering earlier outside Canterbury Cathedral, demonstrating against cuts to public services and the so-called bedroom tax.
Mr Welby arrived at the West Door of the cathedral, dressed in a cope, stole and mitre made from gold-coloured silk.
He then performed the symbolic act of striking the door three times with the end of his staff, formally requesting admission.
In his enthronement address, the archbishop warned against abandoning the church, saying improvements in working conditions, the creation of the NHS and the abolition of slavery were a result of "Christ-liberated courage".
"Today we may properly differ on the degrees of state and private responsibility in a healthy society," he said.
"But if we sever our roots in Christ we abandon the stability which enables good decision-making."
Pope Francis, who was elevated to the head of the Catholic Church on March 13, earlier sent a message on the enthronement in England.
Pope Francis said: "I thank you for the kind words contained in your message to me at my election, and I wish in turn to offer my greetings and best wishes on the occasion of your enthronement at Canterbury Cathedral."
Speaking ahead of the inauguration at the cathedral, the new archbishop told Sky News he was looking forward to meeting and working with Pope Francis as both religious leaders start their high-profile roles.
He told Sky News Sunrise presenter : "The Papacy is a completely different thing to an Archbishop of Canterbury.
"I am one of almost 100 English bishops with a particular role, whereas he is the head of the Roman Catholic Church globally.
"I am greatly looking forward to meeting him. His story - his life story - is extraordinary. He is a great intellectual, but also an incredibly pastoral and simple, down-to-earth character.
"I am absolutely sure that we will be able to work together on a vast number of issues."
The archbishop chose to visit West Sussex last Tuesday as part of a pilgrimage of his own around five English cities this month, instead of the Vatican for Pope Francis' inauguration.
He now leads 80 million Anglicans - in comparison to the Pope, who is leader of the world's 1.2 billion Catholics.
However, they do have one thing in common. Like the newly-installed Pope, the archbishop also likes to travel on the bus.
"I don't know what he will do, but I find it the easiest way of getting around," he said.
In the process of moving into Lambeth Palace, he conceded: "It is a very different life, it'll take a while to settle. We have a very close family. They tease relentlessly and keep my feet very firmly on the ground."
He faces many divisive issues within the church, including women bishops, gay clergy and relations with the Catholic Church.
"I think reconciliation is about learning to be very different ... and continue to love and care for each other as we should within the church, and within society to be able to hold very different views without being destructive," he said.
"One of the greatest challenges of my job is following Rowan Williams because he was such an extraordinary, exceptional, wonderful man, and such a wonderful archbishop."
When he is not working, he likes to spend time with his family, reading and running. Asked what he likes to watch on TV, he confessed he has not owned one for the last two years.
"I love The West Wing. If I want to kick back I watch something like The West Wing - and I must start watching the new series of The Newsroom.
"We do now have a TV and I do watch a bit. The great thing I love about the telly is I like happy endings, simple stories and things that don't make me think too much. Though I do watch some more serious stuff, but not too much, because life is pretty serious on the whole and telly is great entertainment."
The father-of-five resigned as an oil executive in 1987 after 11 years in the industry, to train for the Anglican priesthood.
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