by Chris Eyte, Christian Daily
A key figure in the Church of England Evangelical Council (CEEC) has called for greater transparency in the decision-making process for choosing the next Archbishop of Canterbury, who will lead the worldwide Anglican Communion.
The previous archbishop, Most Rev. Justin Welby, left office on Jan. 6, 2025, amid controversy over his safeguarding role concerning a serial pedophile and criticism from some Anglican leaders for supporting homosexual unions.
Welby faced scrutiny in the Makin Review, as previously reported by Christian Daily International, regarding his responsibility in handling the case of the late John Smyth QC, who sexually abused numerous boys and young men in the 1970s and 1980s. The review concluded that Smyth could have been stopped earlier if Welby had formally reported concerns disclosed to him a decade ago.
Rev. Andrew Goddard, a member of CEEC and a tutor in ethics at both Westminster Theological Centre and Ridley Hall, Cambridge, has publicly raised concerns about the process by which the new archbishop will be appointed. Stay informed with The Christian Daily Newsletter
The Anglican House of Bishops did not succeed in persuading the General Synod, responsible for governance in the Anglican Church, to approve changes to the decision-making process at the Crown Nominations Commission (CNC), which is responsible for recommending candidates for vacant diocesan positions, according to a CEEC press release.