This article is from the source 'nytimes' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/05/world/europe/new-archbishop-of-canterbury-confirmation.html

The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
New Archbishop of Canterbury Set for Confirmation New Archbishop of Canterbury Set for Confirmation
(about 3 hours later)
LONDON — On the eve of a highly divisive vote in Parliament on the legalization of same-sex marriage, the Rt. Rev. Justin Welby, the former bishop of Durham, was scheduled on Monday to take over as the archbishop of Canterbury, the spiritual head of the world’s 77 million Anglicans, amid questions about whether he would repeat his opposition to marriage among people of the same gender. LONDON — On the eve of a highly divisive vote in Parliament on the legalization of same-sex marriage, the Rt. Rev. Justin Welby. the former bishop of Durham, was scheduled on Monday to take over as the archbishop of Canterbury, the spiritual head of the world’s 77 million Anglicans, amid questions about whether he would repeat his opposition to marriage among people of the same gender.
Bishop Welby is to be formally confirmed in his new post at a ceremony in London’s St. Paul’s Cathedral attended by other senior members of the Church of England. He is to be enthroned next month at a separate ceremony in Canterbury, replacing the Most Rev. same-sex marriage. Bishop Welby is to be formally confirmed in his new post at a ceremony in London’s St. Paul’s Cathedral attended by other senior members of the Church of England. He is to be enthroned next month at a separate ceremony in Canterbury, replacing the Most Rev. Rowan Williams.
When he was appointed last November, Bishop Welby, 56, a former oil company executive, made it clear that he endorsed earlier church statements criticizing government plans to legalize same-sex marriage.
“But I also need to listen very attentively to the L.G.B.T. communities and examine my own thinking carefully and prayerfully,” he added at the time, referring to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender groups.“But I also need to listen very attentively to the L.G.B.T. communities and examine my own thinking carefully and prayerfully,” he added at the time, referring to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender groups.
“I am always averse to the language of exclusion,” he said, apparently seeking a middle ground in the debates, which have split Anglicans from Africa to America. “Above all, in the church we need to create safe spaces for these issues to be discussed in honesty and in love.”“I am always averse to the language of exclusion,” he said, apparently seeking a middle ground in the debates, which have split Anglicans from Africa to America. “Above all, in the church we need to create safe spaces for these issues to be discussed in honesty and in love.”
The Daily Telegraph on Monday quoted an unidentified source as saying Bishop Welby, who is to be enthroned next month, “will say that marriage is between a man and a woman and always has been.”The Daily Telegraph on Monday quoted an unidentified source as saying Bishop Welby, who is to be enthroned next month, “will say that marriage is between a man and a woman and always has been.”
The remark reflected the official view of his Church of England, which has been split over gender issues centering on tortured debates over the consecration of female and gay bishops.The remark reflected the official view of his Church of England, which has been split over gender issues centering on tortured debates over the consecration of female and gay bishops.
In December, the Church of England voted narrowly to reject the notion of female bishops, despite support for the idea from senior clerics including Bishop Welby. In January, the bishops followed up with a ruling admitting openly gay priests in civil partnerships to their ranks, provided that, unlike heterosexual bishops, they remain celibate.In December, the Church of England voted narrowly to reject the notion of female bishops, despite support for the idea from senior clerics including Bishop Welby. In January, the bishops followed up with a ruling admitting openly gay priests in civil partnerships to their ranks, provided that, unlike heterosexual bishops, they remain celibate.
But the timing of Monday’s ceremony at St. Paul’s was delicate. Parliament is set to vote on Tuesday on a proposal to legalize same-sex marriage that has been championed by Prime Minster David Cameron. The issue, however, has inspired one of the most toxic rebellions among his Conservative Party lawmakers since Mr. Cameron took office at the head of a coalition government in 2010.But the timing of Monday’s ceremony at St. Paul’s was delicate. Parliament is set to vote on Tuesday on a proposal to legalize same-sex marriage that has been championed by Prime Minster David Cameron. The issue, however, has inspired one of the most toxic rebellions among his Conservative Party lawmakers since Mr. Cameron took office at the head of a coalition government in 2010.
British news reports have suggested that as many as 180 of the 303 Conservative Party lawmakers may oppose Mr. Cameron or abstain in Tuesday’s vote.British news reports have suggested that as many as 180 of the 303 Conservative Party lawmakers may oppose Mr. Cameron or abstain in Tuesday’s vote.
Some Conservatives have said publicly that they fear Mr. Cameron’s position will jeopardize his prospects of being returned to office at the next national election in 2015, particularly among rank-and-file Conservatives. But campaigners in favor of same-sex marriage argue that he will draw new voters supportive the idea. Some Conservatives have said publicly that they fear Mr. Cameron’s position will jeopardize his prospects of being returned to office at the next national election in 2015, particularly among rank-and-file Conservatives. But campaigners in favor of same sex marriage argue that he will draw new voters supportive the idea.
Ed Miliband, the leader of the opposition Labou Party, said on Monday that he would be “voting for equal marriage in the House of Commons and I’ll be doing so proudly.” He also said he would urge his 255 legislators in the 649-member legislature to vote in favor.
“I’ll be voting for equal marriage for a very simple reason: I don’t think that the person you love should determine the rights you have,” he said.
The legislation, if approved, will permit civil marriage ceremonies between same-sex couples, but specifically exempts the Church of England and other faiths from an obligation to perform church weddings.
“The point the prime minister would make is that this legislation is about what goes on in register offices, not churches,” said a spokesman for Prime Minister Cameron, referring to the offices where civil marriages are performed. The government believed, the spokesman said, that the new law would provide “the comprehensive safeguards that religious organizations will want.”