11,000 people take part in consultations for the next Archbishop of Canterbury

7 May 2025 • Persistent link: iarccum.org/?p=5160

Lambeth Palace. Photo: Alex Baker

More than 11,000 people have participated in the consultations for the next Archbishop of Canterbury – carried out online, by post and in person between February and March this year.

The public consultation was a unique opportunity to influence the future of leadership within the Church, helping to discern the gifts, skills and qualities required in the 106th Archbishop of Canterbury to meet the needs of the Church today and in the years to come.

The themes that emerge through this consultation will sit alongside the ‘Statement of Needs’ produced by the Diocese of Canterbury, as well as other information provided by the National Church and Anglican Communion. This information will inform the Canterbury Crown Nominations Commission of the needs of the mission of the Church of England and the wider Anglican Communion.

At a glance

1. Secretaries’ Consultations – the Archbishops’ Secretary for Appointments and the Prime Minister’s Appointments Secretary met with over 350 individuals during the consultation period, including representatives of other Christian traditions and non-Christian traditions, parliamentarians, leaders from public life, and those who minister, work and worship across the Church of England and the Anglican Communion.
2. Children and Young People Consultations – over 1,200 children and young people participated in consultations conducted by the National Society for Education and the Appointments Secretaries.
3. Online Public Consultations – the online consultation form received over 9,600 responses.
4. Written Public Consultations – over 160 pieces of written correspondence (e.g. emails and letters) were received.