Archbishop Runcie Enthroned at Canterbury
Episcopal News Service. April 3, 1980 [80117]
The Rev. Canon Richard J. Anderson
CANTERBURY, England -- On a cloudy March 25, Robert Alexander Kennedy Runcie -- a 58-year-old Liverpool-born World War II hero -- was enthroned as the 102nd Archbishop of Canterbury. The colorful ritual took place amid 3,000 people in England's 800-year-old Canterbury Cathedral, near the spot where St. Augustine -- the first Archbishop of Canterbury -- founded an abbey after he had been sent to England as a missionary by Pope Gregory in 597.
In a 20-minute sermon Archbishop Runcie reminded his hearers that "aggression and compulsion was not the way of Jesus Christ."
"The cry is, 'The Church must give a firm lead,' " said the prelate. "Yes it must -- if the Church gives Jesus Christ's sort of lead, it will not be popular."
The day before the enthronement, Archbishop Runcie had been criticized strongly by London Daily Mail columnist Andrew Alexander for having endorsed a boycott of the Moscow summer Olympics by British athletes.
"For the Church to have the Authority of Jesus Christ, it must not merely repeat the definitions of belief distilled by our forerunners -- vitally important though this is," said the prelate. "The Church must live now as Jesus Christ would live now."
Speaking of ecumenism, the Archbishop said "Negotiations aimed at merging institutions have only a limited usefulness." His special ecumenical interest is Eastern Orthodoxy, and this concern is mentioned by a close advisor as a major reason why Archbishop Runcie is opposed to having women in the priesthood and the episcopacy. The new primate said he hopes to speak "with men and women who stand outside the Christian Church."
"I would say to them 'You can teach us so much if together we could look for the secret of the maze-like muddle in which the world finds itself.' " He also wants to gain "some knowledge of the world-wide Anglican Communion."
The enthronement liturgy began precisely at 3 p.m. British local and national civic dignitaries, Church of England bishops, clergy and lay officers, the 23 primates of the Anglican Communion and representatives of other churches entered through the Cathedral's massive west doors with trumpet fanfares, walking behind vergers and marshals. Presiding Bishop John M. Allin processed with the other Anglican primates as representative of the Episcopal Church in the United States.
Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, Princess Margaret and the Prince of Wales were escorted to stalls near the main altar.
For the first time at a Canterbury enthronement, there was an abundance of ecumenical participation. The Rev. Philip Potter, General Secretary of the World Council of Churches, read a lesson from Isaiah. Basic Cardinal Hume, the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Westminster, read from the Epistle to the Ephesians. The chairman of England's Free Church Council and the moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland led prayers, as did Archbishop Methodius of Thyanteria. Evangelist Billy Graham was among the ecumenical representatives.
Another first for a Canterbury enthronement was the participation of a woman. Dame Betty Ridley, Third Church Estates Commissioner, led a prayer for Pope John Paul II, the Orthodox Patriarchs and for those "holding office in Churches of the Reformation."
Archbishop Oscar Romero of San Salvador, who had been assassinated the day before the enthronement, was remembered in the prayers and his death was called "shocking" by the Archbishop in his sermon.
In addition to Bishop Allin, other Episcopalians attending the enthronement included Bishop and Mrs. Robert C. Rusack of Los Angeles, Bishop William C. R. Sheridan of Northern Indiana, Bishop John M. Krumm of the American Churches in Europe, retired Bishop Horace W. B. Donegan of New York and the Rev. John Andrew, rector of St. Thomas Church, New York, and a former chaplain to one of Archbishop Runcie's predecessors.
The liturgy began with a reading of the Mandate for Enthronement issued by the Queen. Archbishop Runcie, vested in white and gold cope and miter, knocked three times on the Cathedral doors. He was welcomed by the Dean of Canterbury and then by the people who proclaimed, "In the name of the Lord we greet you." After a minute of silent prayer, the Archbishop led the congregation in the Lord's Prayer. He then repeated the Declaration of Assent and the Oath: "I do declare my belief in the faith which is revealed in the Holy Scriptures and set forth in the catholic creeds and to which the historic formularies of the Church of England bear witness -- "
After the lessons from Scripture and prayers of intercession, the Archbishop was escorted from the Cathedral's nave altar to the Quire. He was first enthroned in the episcopal seat of the Diocese of Canterbury. He was then escorted to the Chair of St. Augustine where he was enthroned as the spiritual leader of the world's 65 million Anglicans.
Following the sermon, the Nicene Creed was recited, using the 4th Century form that is agreed upon by the Eastern Orthodox as well as the Western Churches. The congregation knelt to receive the Archbishop's blessing, then stood to watch him process out of the cathedral into bright sunshine. He was greeted by a roar of applause and boisterous cheers from hundreds of people for whom there were no seats inside.
Archbishop Runcie spent 15 minutes shaking hands, kissing a baby and greeting children as the Cathedral bells pealed. He had a special greeting for "Runcie's Angels," an ecumenical group of young people from his home Diocese of St. Alban's.
The man who became Archbishop of Canterbury on March 25 first became acquainted with Anglicanism when he attended confirmation classes as a boy with a friend. He attended Oxford on a scholarship and served in the Scots Guards during World War II, winning the Military Cross for bravery. He finished college after the war, then studied for ordination. As a priest he mostly served in academic institutions until being consecrated Bishop of St. Albans in 1970. One of his cures involved him in rural life and he still raises Berkshire pedigree pigs as a hobby.
Mrs. Runcie, who likes to be called Lindy, is a professional musician. She helped choose much of the music for the enthronement. The Runcies are parents of James, who has just finished his first year as a university student, and Rebecca, who is in high school.
Clifford Longley, religion writer for the London Times, describes Archbishop Runcie as a"radical conservative with self-effacing charisma."
"No man has gone to Lambeth and Canterbury with more public good will," wrote Longley, "and few have started in office with more popularity. "
The applause that erupted among the 3,000 worshipers as the new Archbishop ascended to the Chair of St. Augustine seemed to substantiate the Times writer's estimation. Yet the words spoken by the Archbishop himself as well as the comments of those closest to him serve notice that popularity alone is not the goal of this man -- the 101st to follow in the missionary footsteps of St. Augustine in taking the Gospel to England and to the world.