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New Archbishop of Canterbury Takes Office New Archbishop of Canterbury Takes Office
(about 4 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, took over formally as the 105th archbishop of Canterbury, the spiritual head of the world’s 77 million Anglicans, saying he did not see a “collision course” between church and state over the issue. 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, on Monday took over formally as the 105th archbishop of Canterbury, the spiritual head of the world’s 77 million Anglicans, saying he shares the Church of England’s opposition to marriage among people of the same gender.
Bishop Welby was confirmed in his new post at a ceremony in London’s St. Paul’s Cathedral attended by other senior bishops of the Church of England. He is to be enthroned next month at a separate ceremony in Canterbury, replacing the Most Rev. Rowan Williams who had held the position for 10 years. Bishop Welby was confirmed in his new post at a ceremony in London’s St. Paul’s Cathedral attended by other senior bishops of the Church of England. He is to be enthroned next month at a ceremony in Canterbury, replacing the Most Rev. Rowan Williams who had held the position for 10 years.
The Daily Telegraph on Monday quoted an unidentified source as saying Bishop Welby “will say that marriage is between a man and a woman and always has been.”
In an interview broadcast on the BBC after his inauguration the new archbishop said he was not on a “collision course” with the government.In an interview broadcast on the BBC after his inauguration the new archbishop said he was not on a “collision course” with the government.
But he endorsed the traditional view that, while the Church of England has no objection to civil partnerships between people of the same gender, it is, as a recent statement put it, “committed to the traditional understanding of the institution of marriage as being between one man and one woman.” The church has been long locked in tortured debates over gender issues, including the consecration of female and gay bishops and same-sex marriage. But he endorsed the traditional view that, while the Church of England has no objection to civil partnerships between people of the same gender, it is, as a recent statement put it, “committed to the traditional understanding of the institution of marriage as being between one man and one woman.”
Speaking to reporters on Monday, Bishop Welby, 57, said: “I support the Church of England’s position on this. We have made many statements about this and I stick with that.”
His stance did not come as a surprise since he made it clear at the time of his appointment last November, but the timing of his remarks is certain play both into the political and the ecclesiastical debate about the issue.
The church has been long locked in tortured debates over gender issues, including the consecration of female and gay bishops and same-sex marriage.
When he was appointed archbishop last November, Bishop Welby, 57, a former oil company executive, made it clear that he endorsed earlier church statements criticizing government plans to legalize same-sex marriage.When he was appointed archbishop last November, Bishop Welby, 57, a former oil company executive, made it clear that he endorsed earlier church statements criticizing government plans to legalize same-sex marriage.
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 and potentially embarrassing rebellions among his Conservative Party lawmakers since Mr. Cameron took office at the head of a coalition government in 2010.
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.
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 prospects of being returned to office at the next national election in 2015 might be jeopardized. But campaigners in favor of same sex marriage argue that he will draw new supporters.
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 Labour Party, said 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 with him.
Ed Miliband, the leader of the opposition Labour 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.“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 exempt the Church of England and other faiths from an obligation to perform church weddings. The legislation, if approved, will permit civil marriage ceremonies between same-sex couples, but specifically exempt the Church of England and other faiths from an obligation to perform such 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.” “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 Mr. Cameron, referring to the sites where civil marriages are performed. The government believes, the spokesman said, that the new law provides “the comprehensive safeguards that religious organizations will want.”