New Archbishop of Canterbury

[FuzzyPuffling]

The appointment of Dame Sarah Mullally as the new Archbishop of Canterbury has been announced today.

What do we think?

I hope it's a fresh beginning after all the mess of the past few years, and as an ex nurse, I hope she's got her head screwed on, snd a feeling for people. I'm glad it's a woman though. Apart from that, I don't know a massive amount about her.

There's a really good thread on the feminism board discussing her appointment.

I'll leave it there.

I only realised today that there's a new Archbishop of Canterbury and that the role is now held by a woman. As someone who isn’t Anglican, I don’t feel particularly affected by the change, but given that it’s the head of the Church of England, under HRH King Charles, it’s still a significant national appointment. I did once briefly meet a previous ABC (no name, no pack drill), and although our interaction was very short, I didn’t come away with a strong impression.

She was only announced today, so you're not behind on the news.

Her appointment will certainly cause controversy in the wider Anglican Church.

I can't see how it will help increase parishioner numbers, as it seems like it's more traditional people that are returning to Churches.

Very bad news for the CoE. She supports critical race theory, is woke and a feminist. Completely wrong beliefs for an Archbishop. I am glad I left the CoE as it is sinking even further into the mire.

I think (hope) she'll be a sensible, steadying effect for the CofE, after all the recent upheavals and issues going on. She steered the LLF debates in synod really well, I thought, and seems to be a compassionate person, which is probably what we need right now.

I agree with this and have the same hopes.

She's shown herself to be a strong leader, from what I gather, in her previous career. She comes over as sensible and kind which is a start. Should say I'm not an Anglican.

@Troubledwords I'm not sure you're right about it being people from more traditional people returning to churches - I've been reading about the rise in unchurched people starting going to church.

It'll definitely be interesting to watch the numbers, see if congregation sizes change now.

Also keep an eye on the post Easter numbers for new Catholics joining the Church.

There's been an uptick in the number of people, especially 16-24 year olds, joining the C of E in the past couple of years.

Why might that happen? Not being awkward - genuine question. I mean about Catholics joining c of e.

Yes, amazing! I don't imagine they're that fussed about who's Archbishop of Canterbury really.

Other way around, Anglicans joining the Catholic Church.

Oh I see.

I am delighted. My experience of Bishop Sarah is of a very caring and pastoral bishop. She has worked in London which is very tribal in terms of churchmanship. It is going to be a really tough job that she is moving into so she is very much in my prayers as she prepares to take up the role.

They've completely fallen into apostasy. Very sad. Our church is part of GAFCON, which has been prompt in their response to this appointment:
https://gafcon.org/communique-updates/canterbury-appointment-abandons-anglicans/

Yes, I agree. Gavin Ashendon also just commented on YT, I thought he was very succinct! He was careful to separate Sarah's good qualities from her unsuitability for the job, as a feminist.

He's a Catholic now. He has made his choice not to stay in the Anglican church so we wouldn't expect him to approve!

Apostasy is an interesting word to use. I've heard it used to describe some of GAFCON!

Galatians 3:28
In Christ there is no Jew nor Gentile, no slave or free, no male or female, for all are one in Jesus Christ.

Good verse @FuzzyPuffling

I look forward to what Sarah can bring and I welcome her. I attended an Anglican church from 2014-2016 and again 2022-2025 and I am staying put here. I am a non demotional Christian and a follower of Christ and not joined to any demontion and will never be.

I was baptised Catholic and still attend my childhood Catholic church at times in the week and find it be the two most safest places on earth.
There is little difference between and I can go between both.

I was confirmed and recieved into the Anglican church and I will take that as my family although not an Anglican.

What happened with Justin Welby shocked me as I am a not a political person and stopped watching the news around COVID. I never knew this case was happening so it hit me when I heard. I liked him what I saw. I do not think that abuse should have a hiding place. My church it was a few difficult weeks when it hit the press, but we came through it and we need to focus on the future. I like what Justin Welby said at that time that we need to keep on focus on Jesus Christ alone in our worship and worship no human being but them alone.

There are some incredible women in the Anglican church right and my church has a formidable team of 3 women who usually work and one leader in charge. They have done things for the church and I feel so welcome there and I find them so humble and modest. I attend an 8am service with them and the family ones seem well attended and people seem joyous. Bishop Gulli is amazing to and so is Bishop Lynn from Barking.

I have only read good things about Sarah, but I stay I away from scruntising people on the internet.

I like what Justin Welby said at that time that we need to keep on focus on Jesus Christ alone in our worship and worship no human being but them alone.

Very sensible @Justmerach

@Troubledwords Her appointment will certainly cause controversy in the wider Anglican Church.

Yes, it would appear you are correct. I've been sent down a few rabbit holes when reading up a little more about CofE today. Some of them not particularly edifying.

As a person, from what I have read, the new ABC appears to be a lovely human being. It was good to hear that her background was in nursing.

All I can say regarding church leadership is, where the 'church' leaves God, don't be surprised when God leaves the church.

Let us remind ourselves as well, that Jesus said that Satan will not overcome his church which he is the head of Matthew 16-18
"And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it."

Lets remember to that Jesus said we should be his followers and that true church's are invited to be his members.

I read on a forum that a minister will say the authority prayer of believers before a service and line up unclean enities from regular members and send them out of the church. I told this to my rector who just looked at me like I was bringing something new. I bet she has never sweated a brow with this and she focuses on love as well and probably never heard of this, uneeded worry or what. Then I read that scripture above and felt calmer about it all.

I will say I have had three healings from an Anglican church and my rector does healing and wholeness and said she had heard good things from others about those services and my parents were helped to. So it depends on how you worship and who is holding the service.

Let us remind ourselves as well, that Jesus said that Satan will not overcome his church which he is the head of Matthew 16-18
"And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it."

Yes, however this is the church in general and doesn't mean that every individual church or denomination will be preserved. Not only that, I'd direct you to Revelation chapters 2 and 3 where Jesus gives 7 letters to 7 churches (and what He says applies to our churches today). If your church falls short then it will come under judgment, and He may remove its lampstand. In all the letters Jesus says "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches." We need to heed that warning.