Archbishop of Canterbury’s inaugural homily

March 22, 2013

In his sermon inaugurating his ministry as Archbishop of Canterbury, Archbishop Justin Welby praised Pope Francis, St. Benedict, and his own predecessor, Thomas Cramner, who worked to make the Church of England increasingly Protestant until his execution under Queen Mary I.

“In humility and simplicity Pope Francis called us on Tuesday to be protectors of each other: of the natural world, of the poor and vulnerable,” said Archbishop Welby. “Courage is released in a society that is under the authority of God, so that we may become the fully human community of which we all dream.’”

Welby concluded:

There is every possible reason for optimism about the future of Christian faith in our world and in this country. Optimism does not come from us, but because to us and to all people Jesus comes and says “Take heart, it is I, do not be afraid”. We are called to step out of the comfort of our own traditions and places, and go into the waves, reaching for the hand of Christ. Let us provoke each other to heed the call of Christ, to be clear in our declaration of Christ, committed in prayer to Christ, and we will see a world transformed.

 

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Further information:

• 'Out of our own traditions, and into the waves': the Archbishop of Canterbury's inaugural sermon (Archbishop of Canterbury)
• New Archbishop of Canterbury lauds Catholic social teaching, pays tribute to St. Benedict (CWN, 3/21)
• Pope sends greetings to new Archbishop of Canterbury (CWN, 3/21)