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| Justin Welby: from mammon to man of God | Justin Welby: from mammon to man of God |
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| In 2005, a bespectacled canon from Coventry Cathedral took the Lord's work significantly further than most Church of England priests, into the heart of darkness. Justin Welby, formerly of Eton and Trinity College, Cambridge, embarked on a reconciliation between Shell and the Ogoni people of south-east Nigeria. | |
| To reach the war zone, the Anglican negotiator hired a speedboat and set off into the murderous creeks of the Niger delta. Sometimes, things went wrong. On one occasion, the happy-go-lucky old Etonian was arrested by militants at gunpoint. "Don't worry," he coolly told a colleague during the stand-off, "I'll leave my phone on so I can be traced." | |
| In one testimony, Welby, who will have his election as archbishop of Canterbury confirmed at a ceremony in St Paul's Cathedral on 4 February (and be enthroned in Canterbury Cathedral in March), was always "exceptionally relaxed" with the warlords. "All that mattered to him was that he was doing God's work." | |
| Ledum Mitee, from the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People, who successfully advocated a policy of non-violence in the face of extreme provocation, said: "Justin showed extraordinary courage. Port Harcourt [where he was based] was a three-hour boat ride from the creeks. Going in there must have been like going from heaven to hell, but I never did see him take his dog collar off." Welby had been recruited to the International Centre for Reconciliation by another Coventry canon, who shares that judgment. Andrew White says: "Most people cannot make things happen, but Justin was someone who could bring about change." | |
| Justin Portal Welby was not born to the purple, but his disjointed family connections with one corner of the English establishment make him strangely representative of coalition Britain. His mother, Jane Portal, a former secretary to Winston Churchill who became Baroness Williams of Elvel, links the future archbishop to Rab Butler and liberal Toryism. Welby's father came from a German Jewish immigrant family named Weiler. A Walter Mitty character with a bootlegging past in the US, Gavin Welby became the main figure in his son's life, especially after his divorce in 1959, when the boy was three. Characteristically, when told the truth about his father's secret life, Welby found a redemptive message. "It's a sort of 'making good' story," he said. | Justin Portal Welby was not born to the purple, but his disjointed family connections with one corner of the English establishment make him strangely representative of coalition Britain. His mother, Jane Portal, a former secretary to Winston Churchill who became Baroness Williams of Elvel, links the future archbishop to Rab Butler and liberal Toryism. Welby's father came from a German Jewish immigrant family named Weiler. A Walter Mitty character with a bootlegging past in the US, Gavin Welby became the main figure in his son's life, especially after his divorce in 1959, when the boy was three. Characteristically, when told the truth about his father's secret life, Welby found a redemptive message. "It's a sort of 'making good' story," he said. |
| The same could be said of Welby, despite his privileged beginnings. By the time he was a teenager at Eton, where he did not exactly stand out, he was caring for an alcoholic father and grappling with the stirrings of a vocation that, ultimately, he would not resist. | The same could be said of Welby, despite his privileged beginnings. By the time he was a teenager at Eton, where he did not exactly stand out, he was caring for an alcoholic father and grappling with the stirrings of a vocation that, ultimately, he would not resist. |
| Eton led to a degree in law and history at Trinity College, Cambridge, where he also met his future wife, Caroline Eaton, with whom he has had six children. In 1983, the young parents endured the death of their daughter, Johanna, in a car crash in France aged just seven months. The irruption of grief was deeply formative. Later, Welby would say, in a characteristic paradox, that "it actually brought us closer to God". | Eton led to a degree in law and history at Trinity College, Cambridge, where he also met his future wife, Caroline Eaton, with whom he has had six children. In 1983, the young parents endured the death of their daughter, Johanna, in a car crash in France aged just seven months. The irruption of grief was deeply formative. Later, Welby would say, in a characteristic paradox, that "it actually brought us closer to God". |
| At that dark moment, however, Welby was mid-career, working as an oil executive for Elf Aquitaine, based in Paris. Welby's stepfather, Lord (Charles) Williams, is reported to have counselled a business career before any ordination into the priesthood. At first, the young Welby followed this advice and he claims he acquired decisiveness in oil: "Markets don't allow you to hang about." He also learned about teamwork and balance sheets. Faith could wait. | At that dark moment, however, Welby was mid-career, working as an oil executive for Elf Aquitaine, based in Paris. Welby's stepfather, Lord (Charles) Williams, is reported to have counselled a business career before any ordination into the priesthood. At first, the young Welby followed this advice and he claims he acquired decisiveness in oil: "Markets don't allow you to hang about." He also learned about teamwork and balance sheets. Faith could wait. |
| There is, however, one church in London that attempts to reconcile God and mammon. During the 1980s, Welby joined the congregation of an evangelical powerhouse, Holy Trinity Brompton, sometimes described as a church for old Etonians. | There is, however, one church in London that attempts to reconcile God and mammon. During the 1980s, Welby joined the congregation of an evangelical powerhouse, Holy Trinity Brompton, sometimes described as a church for old Etonians. |
| HTB, as it's known, offers a modern, high-voltage Christianity, with rock music, social engagement and the frank evangelism of its "informal, friendly and fun" Alpha course. This programme, aimed at non-believers, has the larger ambition of electrifying what it sees as the moribund corpse of the established church. "HTB lands its first archbishop of Canterbury" was its website's headline after Welby's appointment. | HTB, as it's known, offers a modern, high-voltage Christianity, with rock music, social engagement and the frank evangelism of its "informal, friendly and fun" Alpha course. This programme, aimed at non-believers, has the larger ambition of electrifying what it sees as the moribund corpse of the established church. "HTB lands its first archbishop of Canterbury" was its website's headline after Welby's appointment. |
| Where some fear a takeover, others walk on a different side of the street. HTB is "not my kind of Anglicanism", avers the distinguished novelist Salley Vickers. The Hackney vicar William Taylor is less doubtful. "His theology is actually quite Catholic," he says. | Where some fear a takeover, others walk on a different side of the street. HTB is "not my kind of Anglicanism", avers the distinguished novelist Salley Vickers. The Hackney vicar William Taylor is less doubtful. "His theology is actually quite Catholic," he says. |
| HTB is where Welby's story takes off. It was a real haven for a man on a quest for meaning; it spoke his language, nourished his class roots and was comfortable with business. | HTB is where Welby's story takes off. It was a real haven for a man on a quest for meaning; it spoke his language, nourished his class roots and was comfortable with business. |
| Meanwhile, the clamour of Welby's deferred vocation was becoming irresistible. As one of his secular peers in the House of Lords puts it: "Justin sees Jesus everywhere." In 1989, he quit oil to train for the priesthood, was ordained in 1992, and served in a number of provincial parishes before his decisive move to Coventry in 2002. He was on a fast track and he probably knew it. | |
| The best clue to the future archbishop comes as much from his next job as dean of Liverpool (2007-2011) as from his brave reconciliation work. The Rev Dr Giles Fraser says "he did well, and was much loved". | The best clue to the future archbishop comes as much from his next job as dean of Liverpool (2007-2011) as from his brave reconciliation work. The Rev Dr Giles Fraser says "he did well, and was much loved". |
| In 2009, he allowed Imagine to be played on the cathedral bells. Controversy raged, but he did not repent. One colleague told the BBC: "Justin could see that by using a popular song he could bring more people to his cathedral." | In 2009, he allowed Imagine to be played on the cathedral bells. Controversy raged, but he did not repent. One colleague told the BBC: "Justin could see that by using a popular song he could bring more people to his cathedral." |
| As dean, he managed a great cathedral in one of England's most deprived parishes. Until he was promoted to Durham in 2011, he had a business plan to double the congregation within five years. He also became an early ecclesiastical adopter of Twitter. | As dean, he managed a great cathedral in one of England's most deprived parishes. Until he was promoted to Durham in 2011, he had a business plan to double the congregation within five years. He also became an early ecclesiastical adopter of Twitter. |
| Once bishop of Durham, Welby became the dark horse contender for the top job. He joined the upper house and made his maiden speech, another clue to the future Cantuar. By now, Welby-watchers were getting used to his rather mannered self-deprecation, a kind of psychological default position. This note of "who – me ?" humility, irritating to some, might play better with the godless public. | Once bishop of Durham, Welby became the dark horse contender for the top job. He joined the upper house and made his maiden speech, another clue to the future Cantuar. By now, Welby-watchers were getting used to his rather mannered self-deprecation, a kind of psychological default position. This note of "who – me ?" humility, irritating to some, might play better with the godless public. |
| Giles Fraser compares him to Mr Bean, and many have noticed that, as bishop, he opts for black over purple, projecting a "man of the people" scruffiness. Accordingly, he was, he told the Lords, "astonished" to find himself in the palace of Westminster. Nevertheless, he switched seamlessly into the case for Durham as "a source of spiritual and material regeneration" led by… Nissan and Hitachi. | Giles Fraser compares him to Mr Bean, and many have noticed that, as bishop, he opts for black over purple, projecting a "man of the people" scruffiness. Accordingly, he was, he told the Lords, "astonished" to find himself in the palace of Westminster. Nevertheless, he switched seamlessly into the case for Durham as "a source of spiritual and material regeneration" led by… Nissan and Hitachi. |
| The new bishop talked about the "budget red book", "loan sharking" and "financial surpluses in the corporate sector". His one allusion to spiritual duties was a slightly contrived zinger in which he confessed that "to the unschooled, I am dressed in a white nightie and a black dressing gown". Their noble lordships ate it up. "Oh, the lords absolutely love Justin," purrs one senior peer. | The new bishop talked about the "budget red book", "loan sharking" and "financial surpluses in the corporate sector". His one allusion to spiritual duties was a slightly contrived zinger in which he confessed that "to the unschooled, I am dressed in a white nightie and a black dressing gown". Their noble lordships ate it up. "Oh, the lords absolutely love Justin," purrs one senior peer. |
| To lead the Church of England, you should, ideally, combine the cunning of a Machiavelli with the majesty of the archangel Gabriel, but Welby has his advantages.He has advantages as an outsider. | To lead the Church of England, you should, ideally, combine the cunning of a Machiavelli with the majesty of the archangel Gabriel, but Welby has his advantages.He has advantages as an outsider. |
| AN Wilson told the Observer: "I like his calm. I like the fact that he began at HTB but topped this up by exploring Benedictine spirituality and has a monk as his spiritual director. This seems a very good mixture. I think the fact that he has developed the Catholic life of prayer from the evangelical rock of Scripture is very hopeful." | AN Wilson told the Observer: "I like his calm. I like the fact that he began at HTB but topped this up by exploring Benedictine spirituality and has a monk as his spiritual director. This seems a very good mixture. I think the fact that he has developed the Catholic life of prayer from the evangelical rock of Scripture is very hopeful." |
| Giles Fraser comments: "He's tough, streetwise and might turn out to be a real nettle-grasper." One Tory peer, a former cabinet minister, speaking on conditions of anonymity, says: "He's not charismatic like the bishop of London, but he's got a good, clear brain and is a very direct communicator who knows it's an impossible job. He's the best person we've had for ages." | Giles Fraser comments: "He's tough, streetwise and might turn out to be a real nettle-grasper." One Tory peer, a former cabinet minister, speaking on conditions of anonymity, says: "He's not charismatic like the bishop of London, but he's got a good, clear brain and is a very direct communicator who knows it's an impossible job. He's the best person we've had for ages." |
| Once the honeymoon is over, there are several daunting reconciliations to be won, notably over women bishops (he's pro); and he needs to address concerns of gay Anglicans (he follows the C of E line on same-sex marriage). There's also the huge task of managing the wider communion, especially in Africa. | Once the honeymoon is over, there are several daunting reconciliations to be won, notably over women bishops (he's pro); and he needs to address concerns of gay Anglicans (he follows the C of E line on same-sex marriage). There's also the huge task of managing the wider communion, especially in Africa. |
| The church commentarian Peter Stanford told the Observer: "The Church of England has a good story to tell, but I'm not convinced Welby's the person to tell it. He's not a great speaker." Giles Fraser disputes this: "It's a clever appointment. He's much more conservative than people realise. But only Nixon can go to China and my hope is that it will take a conservative to make the necessary progressive moves." | The church commentarian Peter Stanford told the Observer: "The Church of England has a good story to tell, but I'm not convinced Welby's the person to tell it. He's not a great speaker." Giles Fraser disputes this: "It's a clever appointment. He's much more conservative than people realise. But only Nixon can go to China and my hope is that it will take a conservative to make the necessary progressive moves." |
| The bloody creeks of the Niger delta may yet seem strangely congenial. /> />• This article was amended on 29 January 2013 to correct the narrative of Justin Welby's vist to the Niger delta. | |
| THE WELBY FILE | THE WELBY FILE |
| Born Justin Portal Welby, 6 January 1956, in London. His father was a businessman, his mother PA to Winston Churchill. They divorced in 1959. His father died of a heart attack in 1977. Studied at Eton and Trinity College, Cambridge. He is married and has had six children. | Born Justin Portal Welby, 6 January 1956, in London. His father was a businessman, his mother PA to Winston Churchill. They divorced in 1959. His father died of a heart attack in 1977. Studied at Eton and Trinity College, Cambridge. He is married and has had six children. |
| Best of times Last year, he accepted the post of archbishop of Canterbury. It marked a rapid rise for the former oil executive who began training as a priest in the late 1980s and had been bishop of Durham for only a year. | Best of times Last year, he accepted the post of archbishop of Canterbury. It marked a rapid rise for the former oil executive who began training as a priest in the late 1980s and had been bishop of Durham for only a year. |
| Worst of times In 1983, his seven-month-old daughter, Johanna, died in a car crash in France. Later, he said the experience brought him closer to God. | Worst of times In 1983, his seven-month-old daughter, Johanna, died in a car crash in France. Later, he said the experience brought him closer to God. |
| What he says "I was unable to get away from a sense of God calling. I went kicking and screaming but I couldn't escape it." | What he says "I was unable to get away from a sense of God calling. I went kicking and screaming but I couldn't escape it." |
| "There is a faint sense of very high expectations and being human, I know that I'm bound not to meet them because I'm a perfectly normal, regular human being." | "There is a faint sense of very high expectations and being human, I know that I'm bound not to meet them because I'm a perfectly normal, regular human being." |
| What they say "One of his main strengths is to find the way forward in negotiations… a solution that works for all sides. He is very good as seeing others' point of view." Vivian Gibney, former colleague. | What they say "One of his main strengths is to find the way forward in negotiations… a solution that works for all sides. He is very good as seeing others' point of view." Vivian Gibney, former colleague. |
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