The new Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, was enthroned on Thursday, taking over the leadership of 80 million Anglicans worldwide.
Welby, a 57-year-old former oil executive, was formally sworn in as head of the Church of England in front of 2,000 guests at Canterbury Cathedral including Prime Minister David Cameron and heir to the throne Prince Charles.
For the first time in history, a woman enthroned the archbishop.
The Venerable Sheila Watson, Archdeacon of Canterbury, played a key role in the service which marks the formal start of Welby’s ministry as he takes over from Rowan Williams.
His enthronement took place just two days after the new leader of the world’s 1.2 billion Roman Catholics, Pope Francis, was inaugurated.
In his sermon, Welby said he wanted to foster closer ties with other Christians and heal splits within the Anglican communion which is deeply divided over the issue of women bishops.
“The Church transforms society when it takes the risks of renewal in prayer, of reconciliation and of confident declaration of the good news of Jesus Christ,” he said.
“There is every possible reason for optimism about the future of Christian faith in our world and in this country. Optimism does not come from us, but because to us and to all people, Jesus comes and says, ‘Take heart, it is I, do not be afraid’.”
Since officially becoming archbishop on February 4 in a ceremony at St Paul’s Cathedral, Welby has not shied away from taking on the government, saying welfare reforms would harm vulnerable children.
Welby is not a typical churchman. Married with five children, he rose to the top of the oil industry and gave up a six-figure salary to train as a priest.
New leader of world's Anglicans is enthroned
