Martin Davie writes about the announcement of the Bishop of London, Dame Sarah Mullally, to be the next Archbishop of Canterbury, and the frequent references to the Archbishop as the 'head of the Church of England' or the 'head of the Anglican Communion.'
He explains that both statements are misleading and will clarify the actual roles of the Archbishop in the Church of England and the Anglican Communion.
When discussing these topics, it's essential to understand what is meant by 'head.' The term is used analogically, drawing a comparison between the role of the head in the human body and the role of an individual in an organization.
The announcement of the choice of the Bishop of London, Dame Sarah Mullally, to be the next Archbishop of Canterbury has been accompanied by frequent references to the Archbishop of Canterbury as the ‘head of the Church of England’ or the ‘head of the Anglican Communion.'
The author will explain the implications of the limited roles of the Archbishop of Canterbury in the Church of England and the wider Anglican Communion.
Author's summary: The Archbishop of Canterbury's role is often misunderstood.