New Archbishop Of Canterbury 'Appointed'

The Bishop of Durham Justin Welby has accepted the post of Archbishop of Canterbury, according to newspaper reports.

The fourth most senior cleric in the Church of England will be announced as the successor to Dr Rowan Williams as early as Friday, the Daily Telegraph claims.

On Tuesday, bookmakers William Hill and Ladbrokes fuelled speculation that he was set to be appointed after they announced that they had closed their books on betting for the role following a rush of bets on Bishop Welby.

The Eton-educated bishop worked in the oil industry for 11 years before leaving to train for the Anglican priesthood. He was first ordained as a deacon in 1992.

He was made a rector in Southam in the same diocese in 1995 before being made a canon at Coventry Cathedral in 2002 where he also later became sub dean.

At Coventry Cathedral he became involved in conflict resolution and peace building in war-torn areas around the world, continuing this work after he was made Dean of Liverpool in 2007.

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