The Bishop of Norwich, Rt Rev Graham Usher, has confirmed that he will not be in the running to become the next Archbishop of Canterbury, despite being considered a leading contender.
His decision follows the resignation of Archbishop Justin Welby in November, who stepped down amid criticism regarding his handling of abuse disclosures. In an interview with The Times, Bishop Usher stated that while there had been speculation, he “felt no sense of inner calling to be Archbishop of Canterbury.”
Instead of pursuing the role, he has been elected as a member of the Crown Nominations Commission (CNC), the 17-member body responsible for selecting the next Archbishop. By joining the CNC, alongside Archbishop of York Most Rev Stephen Cottrell, Bishop Usher is no longer eligible to be considered for the position himself.
Describing his appointment to the panel as a “weighty privilege,” he emphasized the importance of divine guidance for whoever takes up the role. “Whoever becomes the next Archbishop of Canterbury will need to know, more than anything, that she or he can only undertake this role with the grace and comfort of Almighty God,” he said.
Bishop Usher, who also serves as the Church of England’s lead bishop for environmental issues, affirmed his commitment to his current responsibilities. He expressed gratitude for his ongoing work within the Diocese of Norwich and his national and international environmental roles, which he said continue to bring him great joy.
The full list of CNC members is expected to be revealed in April, with the panel scheduled to hold its first meeting in May. Further discussions will take place in July and September, with an official announcement of the new Archbishop anticipated in the autumn.
