The Dean of Canterbury Cathedral, the Very Rev Robert Williis, talks through the enthronement service for the 105th Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, which will feature African dancers, Punjabi music and a female cleric.
12:59PM GMT 21 Mar 2013
The Venerable Sheila Watson, Archdeacon of Canterbury, will take a central role in the Canterbury Cathedral service marking the start of the public ministry of the Most Rev Justin Welby as 105th Archbishop of Canterbury.
The cleric, who was made the first female Archdeacon of Canterbury in 2007, will install the archbishop on the diocesan throne in the cathedral, a historic moment symbolising his appointment as bishop of Canterbury - the first of three roles held by the Archbishop of Canterbury.
The archbishop will then be installed by the Dean of Canterbury, the Very Rev Robert Willis, on the marble chair of St Augustine in the cathedral, marking his appointment as head of the Church of England and also representing his inauguration as spiritual leader of the 77-million strong Anglican Communion.
Other features of the ceremony include a key role for a young member of the Anglican Communion, Evangeline Kanagasooriam, who will ask the Most Rev Welby formal questions about his role after he has struck the West Door of the cathedral three times with his staff at the start of the service.
There will also be an African element, reflecting the Most Rev Welby's ties with the continent through his former job as an oil executive and most recently in peace and reconciliation work.
Related Articles
Female cleric to enthrone Archbishop of Canterbury 20 Mar 2013
Welby 'not frightened' by enthronement 21 Mar 2013
Church is 'part of the Big Society" 21 Mar 2013
Archbishop 'convinced' role will be held by a woman 21 Mar 2013
Archbishop's olive branch to gay rights groups 21 Mar 2013
New Archbishop 'astonished' by post 09 Nov 2012
The Archbishop of Burundi, in central Africa, the Most Rev Bernard Ntahoturi, will pronounce a blessing in French on the the Most Rev Welby and African dancers who will perform before the Gospel is read at the service.
Other personal touches include the choice of the Most Rev Welby's robes for the service.
He will wear colourful vestments originally designed and made for the late Bishop of Peterborough, the Most Rev Ian Cundy, who was the Most Rev Welby's tutor at Cranmer Hall, Durham, where he trained in preparation for ordination between 1989 and 1992 after leaving the oil industry.
Westminster Cathedral organist Matthew Martin will perform an organ improvisation during the service when five representatives from the worldwide Anglican Communion place symbols representing their region on the high altar of Canterbury Cathedral.
During the service, Archbishop Welby will be asked to make the declaration of assent - outlining his loyalty to the Church of England - by the Archbishop of York Dr John Sentamu.
The Most Rev Welby will then be asked by the Very Rev Willis to swear an oath of faithfulness on the Canterbury Gospels, brought to Britain by St Augustine in 597.
The service will feature a newly commissioned anthem using the opening words of the Rule of St Benedict set to music by the composer Michael Berkeley.
The ceremony coincides with the feast day of St Benedict of Monte Cassino, a significant figure for both Canterbury Cathedral - which was a Benedictine Monastery a thousand years ago - and Archbishop Welby who is an oblate of the Order of Benedict.
Source
.
No comments:
Post a Comment