Is the Archbishop of Canterbury head of the Church and the Communion? | Psephizo

Role of the Archbishop of Canterbury

Martin Davie writes about the recent announcement of the Bishop of London, Dame Sarah Mullally, to be the next Archbishop of Canterbury, and the frequent references to the Archbishop as the 'head of the Church of England' or the 'head of the Anglican Communion.'

However, according to Davie, these statements are misleading, and the Archbishop's roles in the Church of England and the Anglican Communion are limited.

Definition of 'Head'

When discussing the concept of 'head', Davie explains that it is analogical language, drawing a comparison between the role of the head in the human body and the role of an individual in an organization.

What do we mean by ‘head?’

Davie aims to clarify the actual roles of the Archbishop of Canterbury in the Church of England and the Anglican Communion.

Implications of Limited Roles

The fact that the Archbishop's roles are limited has significant implications, which Davie will explain in the post.

Author's summary: The Archbishop of Canterbury's role is often misunderstood.

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Psephizo Psephizo — 2025-10-15

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