Former Oil Executive Still Bookies' Favourite as Final Decision Due on Archbishop of Canterbury

The Daily Telegraph (UK) ^ | 9/26/12 | John Bingham

[marshmallow]

Speculation is mounting that a former oil executive who has become a prominent critic of corporate excesses could become Archbishop of Canterbury as the selection committee meets in secret.

The Bishop of Durham, Justin Welby, was confirmed as the bookmakers’ favourite to succeed Rowan Williams, as the Crown Nominations Commission began a two-day meeting to make its final decision.

The 16-person body is not expected to announce its decision officially until next week after receiving approval from the Queen. It is understood that the main candidates are still being interviewed.

The 56-year-old bishop has strong backing among traditional evangelicals and a growing public profile, as a member of the Parliamentary inquiry on banking standards.

But some in the Church of England believe that, only 10 months after he became a bishop, he is untested.

That has prompted renewed speculation that the Bishop of London, the Rt Rev Richard Chartres – who is already 65 – might be considered as a possible “caretaker” archbishop. Last night the bookmakers William Hill cut its odds on him from 12 to one to six to one.

But other church sources suggested that one serious contender largely overlooked by the bookmakers might be the evangelical Bishop of Sheffield, Steven Croft.

The Bishop of Coventry, Christopher Cocksworth, also an evangelical, remains among the leading contenders, with the Bishop of Liverpool, James Jones – who led the Hillsborough review – and the Archbishop of York, John Sentamu.

There has also been renewed interest in the Anglo-Catholic Bishop of Norwich, Graham James.

Meanwhile the Church of England turned to Twitter to encourage people to pray for the committee ahead of the final decision.

[Oratam]

Can anyone possibly imagine "The House Committee on Episcopal Appointments?"

The wisdom of the "Establishment Clause" thank God!