ARCHBISHOP JUSTIN WELBY
Risk-taker and reconciler
By Andrew Atherstone
Darton Longman & Todd. 274 pages. £18.99
ISBN 978 0 232 530 728
This biography of the archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, is an updated and expanded version of Archbishop Justin Welby: The Road to Canterbury which Atherstone produced at breakneck speed in response to Welby’s somewhat unexpected appointment in March 2013.
Atherstone’s research for this volume (the extent of which is evident from the wide-ranging footnotes) covers Welby’s difficult childhood and family life, early spiritual influences, marriage, transformation from oil executive to Church of England ordinand and the journey to Lambeth Palace. The diversity of roles and experiences Welby has squeezed into 50+ years is breathtaking.
Too early to assess
Atherstone focuses particularly on two of Welby’s distinctives – risk-taking and reconciliation – with numerous interesting examples from his ministry in this country and overseas, particularly Africa. He also illustrates Welby’s description of himself as a ‘spiritual magpie’, valuing any contribution or tradition that leads him closer to Jesus.
The final chapters consider Welby’s first year in office and pick through some of the complexities facing the Anglican Communion and its 105th archbishop. It ends by focusing on Welby’s overarching priority to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ.
As Atherstone says: ‘It is far too early to assess the likely legacy of his archiepisco-pate’. Time will tell. This volume is an important early contribution – it is, in my opinion, carefully researched, beautifully narrated, informative, thought-provoking and well worth reading.
