Former cathedral canon to be Archbishop of Canterbury

Buy photos » Justin Welby.

FORMER Coventry Cathedral canon Justin Welby is to be the next Archbishop of Canterbury.

The 56-year-old, who was an oil executive before asnwering a calling from God, is understood to have accepted the offer to replace Dr Rowan Williams who steps down at the end of the year.

The Right Reverend Welby - the current Bishop of Durham - is exepcted to publicly confirmed as principal leader of the Church of England by the Crown Nominations Commission on Friday.

Bishop of Coventry Christopher Cocksworth was also on the commission's shortlist.

Mr Welby spent five years at Coventry Cathedral, as canon residentiary and the co-director for International Ministry at the International Centre for Reconciliation.

The 56-year-old also served as Sub Dean, working in areas of deprivation in Coventry, and in his final year in the city was Priest-in-Charge of Holy Trinity.

He was appointed Bishop of Durham in October last year in what he described as a homecoming, having trained for the priesthood at St John’s College, Durham University for three years.

Dr Williams will become Master of Magdalene College in Cambridge when he steps down.

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