THE Rt Revd Justin Welby has finally left Lambeth Palace, five months after his resignation as Archbishop of Canterbury. It is sad, for him, that some of the projects that were dear to his heart are visibly unravelling.
Living in Love and Faith has not brought about the compromise that he may have hoped for, but has worsened divisions in the Church. Attempts to funnel funds from the Church Commissioners into schemes addressing the Church’s involvement in slavery have been challenged and may prove to be illegal. The collaboration with the Myriad (CCX) initiative to plant thousands of lay-led new worshipping communities by 2030 appears in doubt as Myriad pays off some central staff and seeks to recruit local volunteers, while the champion of church-planting, Dr Ric Thorpe, moves to Melbourne (News, 30 May).
Those who worked closely with Archbishop Welby spoke of him as one who was always fizzing with new ideas. But he did not always have the backing or persuasive power to follow through, and could be intemperate when he could not achieve his desired consensus.
It is, perhaps, providential that the process of choosing his successor is so protracted. It may be to the advantage of whoever becomes Archbishop of Canterbury to start with as clean a slate as possible. Yet, without an obvious William Temple or Michael Ramsey waiting in the wings, it is difficult to imagine who could take up the post.
I hope that Lord Evans, who is chairing the Commission, has the insight to put the needs of the nation above the Church’s internal priorities. The Church has commissions in place exploring various areas of social need, but these must do more than criticise the Government for not providing enough funding. It is no secret that our welfare system is creaking. We have no idea how to manage care for the elderly. Too many young people are too anxious to work, too many children are badly fed, and too many homes are broken. It is a moment for the Church to concentrate on action rather than words.
Our 19th-century forebears, Catholic and Evangelical, made a real difference to people’s lives with practical outreach, fund-raising, the founding of new charities, and the raising of public awareness of the vices and injustices that were rife in society. Their actions made faith credible. Today, there are exemplary church schools and initiatives, such as Street Pastors, which reach parts of society that other agencies cannot always reach.
What about using some of the Commissioners’ money to enhance the Church’s social capital through its parishes, to improve communities and provide local care where it is absent? Think parish visitors, youth chaplains, church-based marriage guidance, hospital volunteers. The experience of our forebears was that a caring Church could produce growth, and that people were drawn to faith when they were shown that they mattered. Perhaps we should give it a try.
