Role of the Archbishop of Canterbury
Martin Davie writes about the announcement of the Bishop of London, Dame Sarah Mullally, to be the next Archbishop of Canterbury, and the frequent references to the Archbishop as the 'head of the Church of England' or the 'head of the Anglican Communion.'
According to Davie, these statements are misleading, and he aims to explain the actual roles of the Archbishop in the Church of England and the Anglican Communion.
Definition of 'Head'
When discussing these topics, it is essential to understand what is meant by 'head.' The term is used analogically, drawing a comparison between the role of the head in the human body and the role of an individual in an organization.
What do we mean by ‘head?’
Davie will explain the implications of the limited roles of the Archbishop and what this means for the Church of England and the Anglican Communion.
Author's summary: Exploring the Archbishop's role.