[Church of England] This week’s meeting of the Crown Nominations Commission (CNC) has been accompanied by much speculation about possible candidates and the likely timing of an announcement of the name of who will succeed Dr Rowan Williams as Archbishop of Canterbury when he steps down to become Master of Magdalene College.
The CNC is an elected, prayerful body. Its meetings are necessarily confidential to enable members to fulfil their important responsibilities for discerning who should undertake this major national and international role. Previous official briefings have indicated that an announcement is expected during the autumn and that remains the case; the work of the Commission continues. There will be no comment on any speculation about candidates or about the CNC’s deliberations. Dr Williams remains in office until the end of December.
Regarding the members of the Crown Nominations Commission, I pray that the Holy Spirit will strengthen them, uplift them, support them, energize them and grant them wisdom and enlightenment in their deliberations. Amen.
I pray the Holy Spirit will guide the CNC to seek ABC “candidates, who have some expertise about key science, technology and faith issues, as well as eco-economics.
I hope and pray that they will find that almost impossible combination of faith, a shepherd to his flock, passion for the Gospel and an open mind that will bring our church into the 21st century at last!