The Church of England is undergoing a slow and opaque process to find a successor to Justin Welby, who dramatically quit as Archbishop of Canterbury eight months ago over his handling of an abuse case. The Crown Nominations Commission (CNC), a 17-strong body, is meeting to select a candidate, with discussions revolving around the possibility of a first female archbishop and the contentious issue of same-sex marriage. Many within the church view the role as 'impossible' given the internal divisions, declining membership, and external challenges.
‘An impossible job’: the daunting task of finding a new archbishop of Canterbury
AnglicanismChristianityReligionJustin WelbyUK
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TL;DR: Key points with love ❤️The Church of England is undergoing a slow and opaque process to find a successor to Justin Welby, who dramatically quit as Archbishop of Canterbury eight months ago over his handling of an abuse case. The Crown Nominations Commission (CNC), a 17-strong body, is meeting to select a candidate, with discussions revolving around the possibility of a first female archbishop and the contentious issue of same-sex marriage. Many within the church view the role as 'impossible' given the internal divisions, declining membership, and external challenges.
Trending- 1 November 2023: 44 signatories supported official church blessings for same-sex couples.
- 2 Approx. November 2024: Justin Welby quit as Archbishop of Canterbury.
- 3 Earlier this year (2025): Public consultation on the role produced over 11,000 responses.
- 4 This month (July 2025): CNC meeting for a second time.
- 5 September 2025: CNC to hold a third meeting and submit a name.
- Prolonged leadership vacuum in the Church of England
- Continued internal divisions over theological and social issues (e.g., same-sex marriage, women clergy)
- Potential for a historic appointment (first female archbishop)
- Challenges in finding a suitable candidate willing to take on the 'impossible job'
What: The Church of England is in the process of selecting a new Archbishop of Canterbury, following Justin Welby's resignation.
When: Justin Welby quit eight months ago (approx. November 2024). The selection process is expected to take almost a year. The CNC is meeting for the second time this month (July 2025) and a third time in September 2025.
Where: United Kingdom (Church of England, General Synod meeting at the University of York campus).
Why: Justin Welby resigned over his handling of an abuse case. The church needs a new leader for its splintered and declining institution, facing challenges like internal divisions over same-sex marriage and the demanding nature of the role.
How: The Crown Nominations Commission (CNC), chaired by Jonathan Evans, is responsible for nominating the successor. They are holding multiple meetings, considering public consultation responses, and navigating complex internal politics, including the contentious issue of same-sex marriage and the potential for a female archbishop.