Does the BBC know better than AF?
- Anglican Futures
- 5 days ago
- 2 min read
It is said that the King will announce the name of the next Archbishop of Canterbury "by the end of September or early in October," This week, Sunday, the BBC's key ethical and religious programme, asked Madeleine Davies of the Church Times to offer "pen portraits" of the front "runners and riders".
Readers of this blog will know that Anglican Futures was well ahead of the game, with our highly unscientific polling of General Synod members and those at New Wine, as well as an online survey.
Here though, in one place, for all to see, are the different shortlists:
Only two names appear on all four - the Rt Revd Michael Beasley, Bishop of Bath and Wells, and the Rt Revd Guli Frances-Deqhani - but it is not uncommon for the favourites to 'fall' at the last hurdle.
According to Madeleine Davies, both Bishop Michael and Bishop Guli may be hindered by their "lack of frontline parish experience." However, Bishop Michael may find favour with members of 'Save the Parish' with his "calls for reform with the way the Church of England's billions are shared," and Bishop Guli's firsthand experience of living in a country where Christians are persecuted may have made her an attractive candidate to the wider Anglican Communion representatives.
The full 'pen portraits' can be heard on BBC Sounds - at approximate 10 mins and 30 mins into the programme.
In a slightly strange move, the Church of England put out a video of some of the members of the Crown Nominations Commission sharing the "privilege and weight of nominating the next Archbishop of Canterbury." Of course they were unable to give any hints about who they might be leaning towards but it is a good reminder to pray for the process.
And for that we turn to the ACNA Book of Common Prayer 2019
"Almighty God, giver of every good gift:
Look graciously on your Church, and so guide the minds of those
who shall choose the Archbishop that we may receive
a faithful pastor who will preach the Gospel, care for your people,
equip us for ministry, and lead us forth in fulfillment of the Great Commission;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
This story, and other recent events
in the Anglican world,
will be up for discussion at Close to the Edge
Online - Thursday 11th Sept at 7pm
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