Historic Shift in the Anglican Church: Two Women Frontrunners to Succeed Archbishop Justin Welby

The Church of England is on the cusp of a historic moment, with two women emerging as frontrunners to become the next Archbishop of Canterbury. Bishop Rachel Treweek, the Church of England’s first-ever female diocesan bishop, and Iranian-born Bishop Guli Francis-Dehqani, who came to Britain as a refugee, are the leading contenders to lead the Church of England and become the symbolic figurehead for 85 million Anglicans worldwide.

A Church Divided

The appointment comes at a time when the Church is grappling with theological schisms over the approach to gay Christian couples and the role of women in the church. Conservative Anglicans in African countries, where homosexuality is outlawed in some nations, may pose a challenge to the next archbishop. The conservative Global Anglican Future Conference believes only men should be consecrated as bishops, adding pressure to the decision. Other frontrunners for the position include Bishop Martyn Snow, who stepped away from leading the Church’s process to bless same-sex couples, and Pete Wilcox, Bishop of Sheffield.

A Complex Vetting Process

The appointment process has been lengthy and complex, involving a former spy and senior bishops and global representatives. The commission, led by former MI5 head Lord Evans, aimed to avoid a list of candidates that were “white, Oxbridge, male and come from the southeast of England”. The commission’s recommendation will be sent to the Prime Minister, who will then forward it to King Charles for consent. If a woman is appointed, it would mark a significant shift for global religious institutions, particularly given the Catholic Church’s stance on not ordaining women as priests.