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Justin Welby becomes Archbishop of Canterbury | |
(about 3 hours later) | |
The new Archbishop of Canterbury says he is standing by the Church of England's opposition to the proposed introduction of gay marriage. | |
The archbishop spoke after being confirmed into the role in a legal ceremony at St Paul's Cathedral. | |
He replaced Lord Williams, 62, who held the post for 10 years. | |
MPs vote on legalising gay weddings on Tuesday, but the Most Reverend Justin Welby says he has "no idea" how the vote will go. | |
Speaking about the vote, the 57-year-old archbishop said: "I stand, as I have always stood over the last few months, with the statement I made at the announcement of my appointment, which is that I support the Church of England's position on this. | |
"We have made many statements about this and I stick with that." | |
Church of England bishops have previously issued a statement which was highly critical of government proposals to introduce gay marriage. | |
The office of archbishop was conferred on Archbishop Welby, terminating his former role as Bishop of Durham, in the ceremony known as the Confirmation of Election. | |
His enthronement as the 105th Archbishop of Canterbury takes place at Canterbury Cathedral in March. | |
His appointment to the most senior post in the Church of England was announced in November. Lord Williams stepped down in December. | |
The Confirmation of Election ceremony was presided over by Archbishop of York, John Sentamu and attended by the bishops of Norwich, Leicester, Lincoln, Rochester, Winchester, Salisbury and London. | The Confirmation of Election ceremony was presided over by Archbishop of York, John Sentamu and attended by the bishops of Norwich, Leicester, Lincoln, Rochester, Winchester, Salisbury and London. |
Dr Sentamu, who preached at the service, said: "Archbishop Justin Welby brings many gifts to the office of Archbishop of Canterbury. | Dr Sentamu, who preached at the service, said: "Archbishop Justin Welby brings many gifts to the office of Archbishop of Canterbury. |
"He has my prayers and my support as he assumes this challenging role in the service of the Church of England and of the Anglican Communion worldwide." | "He has my prayers and my support as he assumes this challenging role in the service of the Church of England and of the Anglican Communion worldwide." |
Family prayers | Family prayers |
The new archbishop took the oath of allegiance to the Queen during the ceremony, and made a formal written declaration of assent to his election as Archbishop of Canterbury. | |
The service at St Paul's also heard prayers for Archbishop Welby, his wife Caroline and their five children, that they might find "joy" in their new home. | The service at St Paul's also heard prayers for Archbishop Welby, his wife Caroline and their five children, that they might find "joy" in their new home. |
Aside from the issue of same-sex marriage, Archbishop Welby takes the post as the Church wrestles with other controversial issues such as the consecration of women bishops. | |
He has said it is a time for "optimism and for faith" in the Church. | He has said it is a time for "optimism and for faith" in the Church. |
"The Church will certainly get things wrong, I certainly will get things wrong. We will also get much right and do so already," he said following the announcement of his appointment last year. | "The Church will certainly get things wrong, I certainly will get things wrong. We will also get much right and do so already," he said following the announcement of his appointment last year. |
He was first ordained in 1992, having spent 11 years working in the oil industry before turning his back on a successful career to study theology at Durham. | He was first ordained in 1992, having spent 11 years working in the oil industry before turning his back on a successful career to study theology at Durham. |
He had only been a bishop for just over a year when he was chosen to become Archbishop of Canterbury. | He had only been a bishop for just over a year when he was chosen to become Archbishop of Canterbury. |