Justin Welby confirms new Archbishop of York via Zoom

Being a Christian in the Church of England means living with the ‘baggage’ of ‘saints and slave-traders’, the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby has said.

Speaking to worshippers via Zoom he proclaimed that they are ‘our inheritance… to be reformed, to be repented of, to be imitated’.

The Archbishop made the poignant statements as he confirmed the new Archbishop of York and second most powerful figure in the Church through the digital platform. 

Stephen Cottrell, formerly bishop of Chelmsford, has taken over the position from Dr John Sentamu. He is the 98th holder.

Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby said via Zoom that slave-traders and saints are the Church of England’s ‘inheritance… to be reformed, to be repented of, to be imitated’

He made the statement after the confirmation of Stephen Cottrell as the Archbishop of York, the second most powerful position in the Church of England. Mr Cottrell is pictured above striking the door of York Minster three times, before it is thrown open to confirm his position

In his address following the formal election ceremony, Archbishop Welby said: ‘Living as a Christian requires us to live not only in fellowship with Christians around the world but, also, with the Church throughout time, in practice that draws us into traditional and inherited patterns.

‘With the Church of England we know that some of those bring baggage.

‘We find saints and slave-traders, the proud and prelatical, with the humble servant of the people.

‘They are part of us, of our inheritance, to be reformed, to be repented of, to be imitated.’

Acknowledging the current crisis, the Archbishop continued: ‘We gather together during a time of uncertainty when many are suffering, many are fearful and the foundations of our society have been shaken to their core by the ravages of the coronavirus.

Stephen Cottrell said after he was appointed: ‘I think we can build a better world, a fairer world, a more just world, a world where status and privilege don’t count so much, where everybody has an equal opportunity’

‘The whole church is committed to pray for all those who have been affected and continue to be affected by this pandemic; Jesus told us to keep on praying and not to lose heart.’

Mr Cottrell after he was confirmed as Archbishop of York via Zoom

And speaking about the service held via Zoom, he added: ‘Even though this ministry begins today in a digital environment, it will be earthed in the world that Christ came to save.’ 

Following the election ceremony, the new archbishop undertook the custom of knocking three times on the west door of the Minster with the Braganza crozier, his staff of office, before it is thrown open. 

This is normally part of the now-deferred enthronement service.

Mr Cottrell told PA Media he was looking forward to when he could join a ‘big old service’ in the Minster but said he was happy to ‘wait patiently’ for that day to come.

Asked about the pandemic, he said: ‘Almost everybody I know, nobody says they want to be back to normal.

‘We want this to end but we don’t want to be back to normal.

‘I think we want a better world and I suppose I’m not going to apologise for being a bit of an idealist.

‘I think we can build a better world, a fairer world, a more just world, a world where status and privilege don’t count so much, where everybody has an equal opportunity.’

He said is was ‘hugely exciting’ to take up the role, if a bit daunting.