Role of the Archbishop of Canterbury
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.'
According to Davie, these statements are misleading, and he aims to explain the actual roles of the Archbishop of Canterbury in the Church of England and the wider Anglican Communion.
What do we mean by ‘head?’
Davie emphasizes the importance of understanding the meaning of 'head' in this context, which is an analogical language, drawing a comparison between the role of the head in the human body and the role of an individual in an organization.
Implications of Limited Roles
The fact that the Archbishop's roles are very limited has significant implications, which Davie intends to explore.
Author's summary: The Archbishop of Canterbury's role is often misunderstood.