Why Sentamu, Chartres, and other old folks may have no chance to be the next ABC?

Why Sentamu, Chartres, and other old folks may have no chance to be the next ABC?

Chair of St Augustine, Canterbury Cathedral

So far all the comments that I have read about the succession of the next ABC have been exclusively centered about churchmanship, the current “unpleasantries”, and, naturally, individual's preferences.

However, we mustn’t forget that the ABC is a political animal, being number two in the realm, and having a singular role in the untimely event of a vacancy in the royal household. As chief mourner, the ABC would have a leading role in the year-long mourning period that would ensue. To say nothing about the noise if decisions around accession or abdication need to addressed. Given the possibility of such developments, I doubt Mr Cameron would be willing to deal in the midst of it all with a new vacancy at Lambeth Palace!

So I would like to suggest that whatever the PM’s ideas, concerns, and wishes may be about the inner workings of the Church, he will be more concerned with his own political realities rather than to be particularly troubled with trying to win a loosing internecine battle within the ranks of the church. Yes, there is the Crown Nomination Commission and all that jazz. But in the end, I bet Mr Cameron would like to be remembered as the wise PM who selected a younger ABC with pastoral skills who was fully engaged with the requirements of his position at a time of great national import.

And what about the Church? What about the Covenant? What about gays in ministry? I don't know what the PM would say, but I guess he may offer some words such as, “Let the Holy Spirit take care of it all.” May be, just may be, it may turn out to be the wisest decision.