The new Archbishop of Canterbury has said he stands by the Church of England’s criticism of legislation to introduce gay marriage, as he was formally confirmed in office.
The Most Rev Justin Welby said he had “no idea” how today’s vote by MPs would go on same-sex marriage, but he stood by his statement made after his appointment was announced in November backing the Church of England bishops over the issue.
He said: “I have no idea how the vote will go, so I am not going to get into hypothetical questions.
“I stand, as I have always stood over the last few months, with the statement I made at the announcement of my appointment, which is that I support the Church of England’s position on this.
“We have made many statements about this and I stick with that.”
In his statement in November, Mr Welby said he backed the Church of England bishops’ statement which was highly critical of Government proposals to introduce gay marriage.
He also warned that there must be “no truck” with any form of homophobia in any part of the Church.
His remarks were made after he was formally confirmed in office as the Archbishop of Canterbury and leader of the 77-million strong Anglican Communion in a ceremony at St Paul’s Cathedral.
The 57-year-old father of five said he was looking forward to his new role “hugely” but also felt challenged and awed by it.
He said: “I feel very challenged and very awed by it, it is an enormous privilege and my experience is to trust in the grace of God, not in your own abilities.”
Mr Welby succeeds Rowan Williams, who left after a decade in office.