Letter to Primates - 23rd July 2002
My dear friends,
You will be hearing today the news that I have accepted appointment as Archbishop of Canterbury. My first reason for writing is to ask for your prayers; I am deeply thankful that we are not strangers to each other, and I hope that the friendships formed in the Primates’ Meetings will continue and flourish as we work together under God. At the moment, I am chiefly conscious of bringing to the task only the fear, the confusion and the spiritual mediocrity that come from my personal resources. I have to trust that God will give (not least through your fellowship and intercession) what is needed – and that I shall have the grace to receive and respond to what he gives.
I also write because I know that some disquiet has been expressed over the possibility of my appointment because of what are believed to be my views on certain questions, in particular on human sexuality. On this matter, I wish to say two things. First, an archbishop is not someone elected to fulfil a programme or manifesto of his own devising, but to serve the whole Communion. He does not have the freedom to prescribe belief for the Church at large. I have indeed in the past written briefly on the subject of theology and sexuality, and hope that what I have written has contributed to the continuing discussion; but my ideas have no authority beyond that of an individual theologian. Second, the Lambeth resolution of 1998 declares clearly what is the mind of the overwhelming majority in the Communion, and what the Communion will and will not approve or authorise. I accept that any individual diocese or even province that officially overturns or repudiates this resolution poses a substantial problem for the sacramental unity of the Communion.
In both respects, I have to distinguish plainly between personal theories and interpretations and the majority conviction of my Church, and have always tried to make such a distinction when I have been questioned on this subject. Since the Lambeth resolution also commends continuing reflection on these matters, my main hope will be to try and maintain a mutually respectful climate for such reflection, in the sort of shared prayerful listening to Scripture envisaged by Lambeth. I hope too, very earnestly, that we can hold to the urgent common priority of mission and evangelism, and avoid the temptation of becoming trapped in questions where the politics of our culture sets the agenda. I believe with all my heart that through Christ we are given a unique and immeasurable gift, and that all our work as apostles and pastors and teachers must grow from our thankfulness to God.
Once again, I ask your continuing prayers, and hope that we shall be able to work together in love and trust. I rely on all of you to ‘speak the truth in love’ to me and to preach the Good News of Jesus Christ to me so that I may be strengthened to speak for Christ to others. This comes with warm affection and gratitude.