LONDON — As he prepared for formal enthronement on Thursday as the 105th archbishop of Canterbury and spiritual head of the world’s 77 million Anglicans, the Most Rev. Justin Welby spoke in sympathetic terms of some same-sex relationships, but reaffirmed his commitment to Anglican teaching opposed to gay and lesbian weddings in church.
His remarks were seen as signals of the way he planned to approach some of the main issues confronting his church, along with long-term challenges like dwindling congregations, a broad increase in secularism in Britain and a drift toward more charismatic churches in some parts of the world.
Archbishop Welby, 57, formerly the bishop of Durham, was to be enthroned in Canterbury, south of London, just two days after Pope Francis was formally installed at the Vatican as the head of the much bigger Roman Catholic Church, which claims over one billion followers.
The Church of England broke from the papacy during the reign of Henry VIII in the 16th century to begin an abiding schism, reinforced over time by Anglican moves to permit female priests — though not bishops — and to condone same-sex civil partnerships, but not same-sex marriage.
The divisions became more nuanced during the papacy of Benedict XVI who made it easier for disaffected Anglican priests to embrace Catholicism.
In an interview with the BBC, Archbishop Welby said he adhered to the traditional Anglican doctrine that marriage is a relationship between a man and a woman. But he went on: “You see gay relationships that are just stunning in the quality of the relationship.”
He had “particular friends where I recognize that and am deeply challenged by it,” he said.
In a separate interview with Channel 5 News, the archbishop said he believed that, despite a narrow rejection by the Anglican Church of female bishops in November, he believed there would one day be a female archbishop. He said he had “no idea” when that would be — “when the right person turns up. But, yes, I think there certainly will.”
The ceremony at Canterbury Cathedral is to be attended by Prince Charles and his wife, the Duchess of Cornwall. Queen Elizabeth II is the titular head of the church. Some 2,000 people are expected to attend, including Prime Minister David Cameron and representatives of other religions and Christian denominations.
Some of the pressing issues facing the global Anglican Communion relate to the wildly divergent attitudes in different parts of the world to same-sex partnerships and the advancement of women. Earlier this year, the Church of England resolved to permit openly gay priests in civil partnerships to become bishops provided they embraced celibacy.
But while the British government supports same-sex marriage, the Church of England opposes it, and new legislation exempts priests from carrying out such weddings.
Archbishop Welby was confirmed in his post earlier this year. His title embraces various functions as the diocesan bishop of Canterbury, the head of the southern province of the Church of England and senior bishop of all England and spiritual leader of the broader Anglican Communion.
John F. Burns reported from London and Alan Cowell from Paris.
His remarks were seen as signals of the way he planned to approach some of the main issues confronting his church, along with long-term challenges like dwindling congregations, a broad increase in secularism in Britain and a drift toward more charismatic churches in some parts of the world.
Archbishop Welby, 57, formerly the bishop of Durham, was to be enthroned in Canterbury, south of London, just two days after Pope Francis was formally installed at the Vatican as the head of the much bigger Roman Catholic Church, which claims over one billion followers.
The Church of England broke from the papacy during the reign of Henry VIII in the 16th century to begin an abiding schism, reinforced over time by Anglican moves to permit female priests — though not bishops — and to condone same-sex civil partnerships, but not same-sex marriage.
The divisions became more nuanced during the papacy of Benedict XVI who made it easier for disaffected Anglican priests to embrace Catholicism.
In an interview with the BBC, Archbishop Welby said he adhered to the traditional Anglican doctrine that marriage is a relationship between a man and a woman. But he went on: “You see gay relationships that are just stunning in the quality of the relationship.”
He had “particular friends where I recognize that and am deeply challenged by it,” he said.
In a separate interview with Channel 5 News, the archbishop said he believed that, despite a narrow rejection by the Anglican Church of female bishops in November, he believed there would one day be a female archbishop. He said he had “no idea” when that would be — “when the right person turns up. But, yes, I think there certainly will.”
The ceremony at Canterbury Cathedral is to be attended by Prince Charles and his wife, the Duchess of Cornwall. Queen Elizabeth II is the titular head of the church. Some 2,000 people are expected to attend, including Prime Minister David Cameron and representatives of other religions and Christian denominations.
Some of the pressing issues facing the global Anglican Communion relate to the wildly divergent attitudes in different parts of the world to same-sex partnerships and the advancement of women. Earlier this year, the Church of England resolved to permit openly gay priests in civil partnerships to become bishops provided they embraced celibacy.
But while the British government supports same-sex marriage, the Church of England opposes it, and new legislation exempts priests from carrying out such weddings.
Archbishop Welby was confirmed in his post earlier this year. His title embraces various functions as the diocesan bishop of Canterbury, the head of the southern province of the Church of England and senior bishop of all England and spiritual leader of the broader Anglican Communion.
John F. Burns reported from London and Alan Cowell from Paris.