Seemingly within moments of Justin Welby resigning, many articles began identifying potential successors. Two names are common to almost all the lists, and so I shall start with them.
It’s not known if Welby consulted with any Anglicans outside the Church of England in making his decision to step down. The Church of England effectively fired Anglicans’ spiritual head, and couldn’t be bothered to check in about it.
I did not anticipate early morning FaceTime conversations about the Buffalo Bills and America’s Got Talent, or the relative merits of various brands of hot sauce.
He made the sign of the cross on my forehead, held his hands on my head and offered an earnest prayer. He said “Amen” in that deep, rich voice, and then looked me in the eyes and said, “Now go preach the gospel, my brother.”
There is a joy in him that reminds me of other great faith leaders, like Archbishop Desmond Tutu. You cannot be with Bishop Michael without a smile making its way across your face.
Conditions for Palestinians in the West Bank worsen daily, and in the United States, “student intifadas” at some college and university campuses have heated up conversations about this nation’s financial, military, and diplomatic support of Israel’s actions.
