by Andrew Goddard, Psephizo
Since exploring some of the details about how the next Archbishop of Canterbury will be chosen, there have been a number of further developments which are worth highlighting. Although we have to wait until “early April” for the names of the 5 Communion members (selected several months ago) and confirmation of the 6 central CNC members (4 of whom are now clear), the bishop on the CNC has been announced and there are yet more questions surfacing about the Canterbury diocesan processes in addition to those raised previously.
Bishop Graham Usher
There has been widespread surprise, even shock, at the news that the House of Bishops have chosen the Bishop of Norwich to be the episcopal representative for Canterbury Province. Although it is a shame that transparency does not extend to the details of the election being published, the fact that their choice is seen as more liberal (back in November 2023 he was one of the 44 calling for clergy to be allowed to enter civil same-sex marriages “without delay”) is not surprising given the composition of the House.
What has taken so many people aback is that Bishop Graham was widely seen as a leading contender for Canterbury in both the secular press and among church commentators. His name was consistently present, usually with some prominence, in discussion of the runners and riders in the New Statesman, the PA news agency, The Guardian, Bishop Graham Kings on Covenant, Tom Middleton in The Living Church (“Two names are common to almost all the lists” he notes, leading to discussion of Graham Usher and then Guli Francis-Dehqani). He was also seen as a serious contender as, unlike some other names, he has significant parish experience.
One of the interesting consequences of this development is that Bishop Graham was usually the only male bishop in such lists who was seen as clearly identified with the liberal wing of the church. The other male diocesans who signed the letter have all either since retired or are too close to retirement to be serious contenders. This might point to the choice now more likely being either a woman or a more conservative male candidate.