The Archbishop of Canterbury is the Church’s most senior bishop. He oversees the ministry and mission in the southern two-thirds of England and fills a unique position as spiritual leader in the worldwide Anglican Church. The second most senior bishop is the Archbishop of York, who oversees the ministry and mission in the northern third of England.
Together they lead the vision and direction of the Church of England.
The Archbishop of Canterbury
The Archbishop of Canterbury is the ‘Primate of All England’ (the ‘first bishop’ of England), the metropolitan archbishop of the ecclesiastical province of Canterbury which covers the southern two-thirds of England, and the bishop of the Diocese of Canterbury.
While no one is recognised as head of all the churches that constitute the Anglican Communion, the Archbishop of Canterbury is regarded as its titular leader – the first among equals – and exercises considerable spiritual authority beyond the province of Canterbury. The Archbishop of Canterbury presides over the Lambeth Conferences, the decennial meeting of the bishops of the Anglican Communion, and is president of the Anglican Consultative Council.
The Right Reverend Justin Welby concluded his ministry as the 105th Archbishop of Canterbury at midnight, 7 January 2024. Under the instrument of delegation, his official functions have been delegated mainly to the Archbishop of York, with some to the Bishop of London and diocesan functions to the Bishop of Dover.
The Crown Nominations Commission will lead the process of appointing the 106th Archbishop of Canterbury.
You can learn more about the mission and ministry of the Archbishop of Canterbury on his website.
The Archbishop of York
The Archbishop of York is the ‘Primate of England’, second only to the Archbishop of Canterbury. The archbishop is the diocesan bishop of the Diocese of York and the metropolitan bishop of the province of York, leading the twelve dioceses in the northern province of the Church of England.
The archbishop is joint president of the General Synod and the Archbishops’ Council. He is also Chair and President of numerous Church bodies.
The Most Reverend Stephen Cottrell was enthroned as the 98th Archbishop of York at York Minster on 18 October 2020.
You can learn more about the mission and ministry of the Archbishop of York on his website.