The Mt Rev Vincent Nichols, Archbishop of Westminster and President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales, has issued a statement in response to the announcement that Bishop Justin Welby, the current Bishop of Durham, will succeed Dr Rowan Williams as Archbishop of Canterbury.
The Archbishop of Westminster, the Most Reverend Vincent Nichols said:
“On behalf of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales, I warmly welcome the news of the appointment of the current Bishop of Durham, the Right Reverend Justin Welby as the next Archbishop of Canterbury.
“I know that Bishop Welby will bring many personal gifts and experience to his new role. As the future Primate of the Church of England, I am sure that his ministry, like that of his predecessor Archbishop Rowan Williams, will provide an important Christian witness to this country over the coming years.
“In fidelity to our Lord Jesus Christ’s prayer that his followers may all be one, I hope that we will endeavour to strengthen the bonds of Christian friendship and mission already established between the Catholic Church and the Church of England. I look forward to working closely with Bishop Welby in the service of the common good and in the common witness we can give to all the people in our land.
“The Archbishop-elect may be assured of the prayers and best wishes of the Catholic Bishops of England and Wales and of the whole Catholic community in our country.”
archbishopofcanterbury.org
Official website of the Archbishop of Canterbury
churchofengland.org
Official website for the Church of England
durham.anglican.org
Diocese of Durham
