Archbishop of Canterbury

Lore & Background

From Augustine until William Warham, the archbishops were in full communion with the Catholic Church. The archbishop is appointed by the British monarch on the advice of the prime minister, formally elected by the college of canons of Canterbury Cathedral, but candidates are chosen by the Crown Nominations Commission.

Reader's Guide

They chair the General Synod with the Archbishop of York, play a central part in national ceremonies like coronations, and convene the decennial Lambeth Conferences. Since Henry VIII, archbishops have been selected by the English (later British) monarch, and since the 20th century, appointments conventionally alternate between Anglo-Catholics and Evangelicals. The archbishop also holds numerous ex officio positions, including chancellor of Canterbury Christ Church University and visitor to many academic institutions, and engages in ecumenical and interfaith roles, such as co-sponsoring the Alexandria Middle East Peace process.

Did You Know?

• The 106th archbishop has not been confirmed as of 2025; the current archbishop is Justin Welby, who resigned on 6 January 2025.
• The St Augustine Gospels, a 6th-century Italian book, is still used during the swearing-in ceremony of new archbishops.
• The archbishop's main residence is Lambeth Palace in the London Borough of Lambeth.

From Augustine to the Reformation

As the first holder of the office, Augustine established a see that would endure for over fourteen centuries. For more than four hundred years, every archbishop from Augustine through William Warham maintained full communion with the Catholic Church in Rome. That unbroken continuity shattered during the English Reformation, when King Henry VIII severed ties with Rome and declared himself head of the Church of England.

Four Pillars of Authority

The archbishop simultaneously occupies four distinct roles that together define the office's extraordinary reach. Second, as metropolitan of the province of Canterbury, which spans the southern two-thirds of England, they hold authority over a vast network of dioceses. Third, as senior primate of the Church of England, they share chairing of the General Synod with the archbishop of York and participate in numerous boards and committees, though power in the church remains deliberately decentralised, meaning leadership often depends on persuasion rather than command. Their principal residence is Lambeth Palace in London, with additional lodgings in the Old Palace beside Canterbury Cathedral, where the Chair of St Augustine still stands.

A Historic Succession

The path to Canterbury's throne has evolved considerably over the centuries. Today, the British monarch formally appoints the archbishop on the advice of the prime minister, while the college of canons of Canterbury Cathedral carries out the election. In practice, the Crown Nominations Commission — a Church of England body — identifies and recommends candidates to the prime minister, making the process a blend of ecclesiastical and political input. Since the twentieth century, there has been a convention of alternating between Anglo-Catholic and Evangelical candidates. The 105th holder, Justin Welby, was enthroned on 21 March 2013 and signed his name as + Justin Cantuar; he announced his resignation on 12 November 2024, effective 7 January 2025.

Bridging Faiths and Nations

Beyond the internal governance of the Church of England, the archbishop of Canterbury has long served as a bridge between Christian traditions and across religious boundaries. The officeholder is president of Churches Together in England, an ecumenical body, and also serves as joint president of the Council of Christians and Jews in the United Kingdom.