New Archbishop expected to be revealed 'soon'

This is the first time an Archbishop of Canterbury will be chosen since the Church of England first allowed women to become bishops in 2014

The new Archbishop of Canterbury will be revealed "quite soon", the Dean of Canterbury has said, nearly a year on from Justin Welby's resignation.

Welby resigned from the role in November 2024 over his failure to report prolific child abuser John Smyth.

This is the first time an Archbishop of Canterbury will be chosen since the Church of England first allowed women to become bishops in 2014.

The Very Reverend Dr David Monteith said it would be "incredibly exciting" if a woman was chosen.

"Safeguarding was the issue at the heart of Justin's departure and safeguarding remains right at the top of our agendas, we want the church to be a safe place," he said.

"It would be incredibly exciting if the new Archbishop were a woman, that would be the first time in a history dating back to 597 AD... it would be momentous."

Justin Welby resigned in November over his failure to report prolific child abuser John Smyth

Whoever is chosen, it comes at a challenging time for the Church of England.

Parish attendance has increased slightly in the last four years, but it has not returned to pre-pandemic levels and has been in decline for decades.

The Archbishop of Canterbury is seen as the spiritual leader of the Anglican church all over the world, and they also have a seat in the House of Lords.

However, the Dean is keen to emphasise they have an important role locally too.

The Very Reverend Dr David Monteith said he wants the next Archbishop of Canterbury to "understand life here in east Kent"

"You could be in a tiny little parish in the Weald or on the Isle of Sheppey and turn up on a Sunday morning and instead of your local vicar, it's the Archbishop taking the service," he said.

"I really want the new Archbishop to understand life here in east Kent."

Once the Archbishop is chosen, a formal service of installation will take place at the cathedral, and the Dean says he will be there to play his part:

"Part of my role is to actually place the new Archbishop in their seat of authority from which they lead," he said.

"That will be one of those huge moments in my life that I will never forget."