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Bishop of London pulls out of race to become the next Archbishop of Canterbury
Traditionalist: Richard Chartres was widely tipped to take over the top role in the church, but has declared himself out of the running
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/
May 19, 2012
The Bishop of London, a front- runner to become the next Archbishop of Canterbury, has ruled himself out of contention by offering to serve on the body making the appointment.
The Right Rev Richard Chartres had been widely seen as a leading contender since Dr Rowan Williams announced last month that he will step down from the Church's top post at the end of the year.
Dr Chartres, a close friend of Prince Charles, is one of the Church's best-known figures and supporters say he has the gravitas and experience for the role.
But insiders have disclosed that he put his name on a list of a handful of bishops prepared to sit on the Crown Nominations Commission, the 16-strong group of clergy and churchgoers who will appoint the new Archbishop.
As members of the commission cannot consider themselves for the post, the move by Dr Chartres indicates that he does not wish to be considered as a candidate.
The Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, another favourite for the post, withdrew from his automatic seat on the commission earlier this month so his name could be considered.
In contention: The Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu (left) and the Bishop of Coventry, Christopher Cocksworth are among those left in the running
Dr Chartres, who has known Prince Charles since their undergraduate days at Cambridge University and who is close to Princes William and Harry, was widely praised for his sermon at William's wedding last year in Westminster Abbey. The Bishop - number three in the Church's hierarchy - is a regular visitor to Prince Charles's home at Highgrove and presided over William's confirmation 14 years ago, a task that was expected to have been performed by then Archbishop of Canterbury George Carey.
After Princess Diana's death, he was appointed one of the trustees of her will and delivered the address at her memorial service in 2007.
Dr Rowan Williams announced last month that he will step down from the Church's top post.
The Bishop's political skills were put to the test by the anti-capitalist Occupy London camp outside St Paul's Cathedral earlier this year, when he had to intervene to defuse a growing crisis.
In 2006 he was criticised in the media for his decision to spend Easter on a cruise ship giving lectures on theology rather than attend services in St Paul's, though he pointed out he was on a two-month sabbatical, his first in 33 years.
He is said to have told friends he feels he is too old for the gruelling job of Archbishop of Canterbury.
Aged 64, he would be able to serve only five or six years in the post before reaching the official retirement age of 70.
He recently paid almost £500,000 for a picturesque, 500-year-old house 100 miles from London in Wilton, Wiltshire.
Dr Chartres is also understood to believe that his traditionalist views on women clergy could count against him as the Church's General Synod is expected to approve legislation introducing women bishops this summer.
Dr Sentamu's chances of becoming the next Archbishop will be boosted by Dr Chartres' move, though he has been the target of a whispering campaign that some supporters claim is partly motivated by racism.
The commission may, however, opt for a younger, less well-known figure.
Contenders include the Bishop of Norwich, Graham James, the Bishop of Coventry, Chris-topher Cocksworth, and the Bishop of Durham, Justin Welby.
Dr Chartres was unavailable for comment.
