http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/religion/9659616/Decision-imminent-on-Archbishop-of-Canterbury.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter
Decision imminent on Archbishop of Canterbury
The secretive committee choosing the next Archbishop of Canterbury has finally passed its decision to David Cameron, amid speculation that the post has been offered to the Eton-educated Bishop of Durham.
Justin Welby, left, and Graham
James Photo: PA/MATTHEW USHER
Two bookmakers announced that they had stopped taking money on Justin Welby,
the long-standing front-runner to succeed Dr Rowan Williams, after a flurry of
bets on the former oil executive on Tuesday morning.
It is understood that Bishop Welby, who was last night on a retreat in
Yorkshire, and his family are expected in London on Thursday, as sources made
clear an official announcement was imminent.
But there were also conflicting suggestions from within Canterbury itself
that the committee may have overlooked the front-runner and opted for a
“surprise” Archbishop.
That could point to the Bishop of Norwich, Graham James. Supporters say that
the grammar-school educated bishop, who is known for his down-to-Earth style and
experience could represent a “safe pair of hands” to help steady the
77-million-strong Anglican Communion through a turbulent period.
The 16-member Crown Nominations Commission has been “discerning” the choice
of Archbishop since Dr Williams announced his decision to step down seven and a
half months ago.
Its members have been sworn to secrecy and it has lately refused to confirm
even when it was meeting, but sources in Canterbury and London confirmed
yesterday that it had met for the last time in the middle of last week.
Their final decision has been passed to Downing Street which will then ask The Queen to make the appointment.
A source added: “They are absolutely desperate to get it out before General Synod in 10 days' time.”
The Church’s governing body is holding an emergency session in London this month at which it will vote on the most significant piece of legislation it has faced in 20 years – whether to ordain women as bishops.
An announcement, which will be made officially through Downing Street and Lambeth Palace, had been expected in some quarters as early as yesterday.
But with David Cameron overseas and the US election dominating the agenda, it is expected that an announcement may have to wait until Thursday or even into next week. One official in Canterbury added: “The work of the CNC is now done … there is such a tricky process to go through, going through the Prime Minister and all of that.”
Bishop Welby, remained tight-lipped about the prospect last night but friends said he had spoken of wanting to “get back to reality”.
Sources close to Bishop James, who attended the House of Lords yesterday, were also tight lipped but signalled that an official announcement is imminent.
Alex Donohue, of Ladbrokes, said a flurry of betting on Tuesday morning was enough to prompt it to close the book.
“For a market like that it was enough for us to say enough is enough,” he said.
“The market had been dead for a coupe of days … he had been joint favourite with Graham James and then people just completely ignored James and backed Welby.”
Within less than a day the odds offered on Welby moved from 6/4 to evens and then one to two.
William Hill followed shortly suit saying it had seen its own odds slashed.
The bookmaker posted a message on Twitter remarking: "Is nothing sacred?"
Their final decision has been passed to Downing Street which will then ask The Queen to make the appointment.
A source added: “They are absolutely desperate to get it out before General Synod in 10 days' time.”
The Church’s governing body is holding an emergency session in London this month at which it will vote on the most significant piece of legislation it has faced in 20 years – whether to ordain women as bishops.
An announcement, which will be made officially through Downing Street and Lambeth Palace, had been expected in some quarters as early as yesterday.
But with David Cameron overseas and the US election dominating the agenda, it is expected that an announcement may have to wait until Thursday or even into next week. One official in Canterbury added: “The work of the CNC is now done … there is such a tricky process to go through, going through the Prime Minister and all of that.”
Bishop Welby, remained tight-lipped about the prospect last night but friends said he had spoken of wanting to “get back to reality”.
Sources close to Bishop James, who attended the House of Lords yesterday, were also tight lipped but signalled that an official announcement is imminent.
Alex Donohue, of Ladbrokes, said a flurry of betting on Tuesday morning was enough to prompt it to close the book.
“For a market like that it was enough for us to say enough is enough,” he said.
“The market had been dead for a coupe of days … he had been joint favourite with Graham James and then people just completely ignored James and backed Welby.”
Within less than a day the odds offered on Welby moved from 6/4 to evens and then one to two.
William Hill followed shortly suit saying it had seen its own odds slashed.
The bookmaker posted a message on Twitter remarking: "Is nothing sacred?"
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