John Sentamu, the charismatic Archbishop of York, appears to have been snubbed in the hunt for a successor to Rowan Williams, amid claims that church leaders are in ‘deadlock’ and could take months to nominate a new Archbishop of Canterbury. Speculation about who will be the next head of the Church of England went into overdrive after the Crown Nominations Commission (CNC) failed to announce a decision. The CNC had been widely expected to send a two-name shortlist to the Prime Minister on Friday. The PM then recommends the leading candidate to the Queen. But instead, the commission released an opaquely worded statement saying ‘its work was continuing’. Leading contenders such as Dr Sentamu and the Bishop of London, Richard Chartres, were thought to be out of the running Tuesday, with new favourites including the ‘compromise candidate‘ Graham James, the Bishop of Norwich and dark horse Justin Welby, Bishop of Durham. (See item 5 below)
Pray: for wisdom and God’s guidance for those charged with the responsibility of the selection of the new archbishop. (1Sa.16:7)