Justin Welby, new Archishop of Canterbuy, enthroned on Thursday
The 105th Archbishop of Canterbury was on Thursday scheduled be enthroned in his Cathedral.
Archbishop Justin Welby succeeds Rowan Williams, who led the Church of England from
2002-2012. The Holy See delegation to the event will be led by the head of the Pontifical
Council for Promoting Christian Unity, Cardinal Kurt Koch. Archbishop Welby has a
deep interest in Catholic social teaching, and sees it as a means for the Catholic
Church and Anglican Communion to work together. He told Vatican Radio one of the
first tasks is to make it better known. “You lot have kept Catholic Social Teaching
far too well hidden,” Archbishop Welby said. “It is one of the greatest treasures
that the Churches globally have to offer, and even many Catholics don’t know much
about it. Starting with Rerum Novarum in the late 19th Century and going through
to the remarkable development under John Paul II and Benedict XVI, with a lot in between,
particularly around Vatican II. I think in those you see a comprehensively thought
through structure of approach to the way we order society in a way that reflects
Christian teaching, Christian values: the love, the integrity of Jesus Christ. I
think it is a huge treasure for the whole Church to learn from, and I think it will
lead us into much closer cooperation.” Welby also has a deep appreciation for Catholic
spiritual traditions. He has been an Oblate of the Benedictine Order (Anglican branch)
for several years. “I read a bit of the rule each day. I try and follow the patterns
that I’m meant to follow,” he said. “I just find Benedict so remorselessly full
of common sense and insight and challenge.” He and and his wife are also involved
with Chemin Neuf, a French Catholic community rooted in in the Charismatic movement
and espousing an Ignatian spirituality. “I have been doing some work with them
around theories of reconciliation,” Welby said. “I have been greatly influenced by
their Ignatian spirituality, as has my wife.” When asked by Vatican Radio if
this would give him a lot to talk about with the Jesuit Pope Francis, the new leader
of the Anglican Communion went further. “A lot to learn from Francis as
the first Jesuit Pope,” he emphasized. “Yes. Absolutely.” Listen to the full
interview by Philippa Hitchen with the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby: