The Archbishop’s long good-bye

Excerpts from a speech made by the Archbishop of Canterbury

at the recent Lord Mayor’s Banquet.

Now is certainly not the time to offer considered reflections on my period of office, but if you will allow me to indulge myself,  I would like to make one or two brief comments on the lessons I have learned.

The most important, I think, is humility. Archbishops must be ever watchful for signs of hubris.  Many of you will know the story of Bishop Hensley Henson visiting Cosmo Gordon Lang shortly after the Archbishop had had his portrait painted.  He was keen to hear what Henson thought of it and after allowing him to study it in silence for a moment or two, said, 'I fear it portrays me as proud, pompous and prelatical.' Henson responded sweetly: 'To which of the three epithets does Your Grace take exception?'

I think it was Asquith who was asked one day by a lady whether it was nice to enjoy such power. 'Power? Power?' he replied, 'You may think you are going to get it, but you never do.' I have often shared Asquith's frustration. How good it would be to have power and to be able to change things! However, it has never been like that, and I never came into this post expecting power - but it is strange that others think I have it. What one does have is an influence that one can use for good purposes and often through negotiations that are out of sight. Far preferable is the opportunity to use one's office to make things happen; to assist in the process of changing an ancient institution and enable it to be an instrument of God in the world today. Far preferable to use one's humanity to get things done and not fret over who is going to get the credit.

For example, my secretary in Canterbury got a phone call from a lady the other day. 'I must speak to the Archbishop of Canterbury!' said an anxious voice. Val responded, 'I am afraid that is not possible. He is away. Can I help?' 'Oh, dear' came the reply, 'I do hope so. I am doing a crossword puzzle and I have got stuck on 'one of the nativity gifts, five letters.' 'Try myrrh', suggested Val. The caller said, 'That's it. Thank you very much, secretary to the Archbishop of Canterbury'. So you see, that keeps us very humble. It's nice that we can be of help when people are in jams of that kind!

My second word is service. I want to say how well we are served by our bishops - well, you expect me of all people to say that! But I mean it, we are served well. I don't know if you are aware that in 1977 there was a US delegation to No.10 and President Carter's National Security Adviser, Zbigniew Brzezinski was allocated the office of the Appointments Secretary. Brzezinski was intrigued by a clearly important map on the wall on which little flags indicated places of strategic importance. He asked the Appointments Secretary: 'Say! What do those flags represent? Are they missile sites or oil refineries?' The Appointments Secretary replied, 'They're bishoprics of the Church of England!' Brzezinski was dumbstruck!

There may be some who believe that bishops get in the way of progress or hinder real mission. I don't believe that to be the case - on the contrary they give energetic leadership to our church and serve with dedication and joy. Oil refineries, if you like, not missile launchers!

But at the heart of service must be space to think, reflect and to pray. My ministry these last eleven years has been very hectic, yet in spite of the lack of time, I have sought to find space to read and reflect, to study and pray. I remember a senior politician admitting to me some years ago that his work never gave him time for reading. I was saddened to hear that admission from such an eminent man. For people like that, Prime Minister Harold Macmillan remains a great example. In spite of the demands of his office he loved to read, and literature nourished him throughout his life.

I think all of this suggests the importance of having a sense of humour in public offices such as yours and mine. Having a sense of humour and loving the ridiculous in the Church helps give one a sense of perspective.  It has certainly helped me remember my place in the scheme of things. It was Gwilym Lloyd George who enunciated the law that 'politicians are like monkeys; the higher they climb up the tree, the more revolting are the parts they expose!'

That, of course, applies to all professions - including the clergy.  You may know the story of Cardinal Heenan's chaplain who was getting his Archbishop's robes ready for a service. As there was no one in the vestry, the Chaplain decided to try on the mitre. Just as he was preening himself in front of the mirror a voice came from the doorway. It was the voice of the Cardinal: 'Do carry on, my boy' the voice said, 'One day you may find yourself wearing one. I think then you find you will be wearing a crown of thorns.' It was an important and salutary warning on the dangers of high office.

When it comes to taking my leave of office, I shall ruefully remember the story of the departing vicar whose elderly parishioner assured him, 'Your successor won't be as good as you.'  'Nonsense,' replied the flattered Vicar.  'No really,' said the old man, 'I've been here under five vicars and each new one is worse than the last.'  I shall be content to pass into that golden age of history, compared to which things are 'not like they used to be'.  And who knows, in years to come, one of my successors may stand in this place and quote some story about Old Archbishop Carey.

In October I shall leave with much gratitude to God for his many mercies, for Eileen's quite remarkable role in our joint ministry, for the support and affection of so many, for many things achieved as well as the reminder that some things could have been done better. I hope that the humility I have spoken of will keep me from thinking too highly of myself and help us both to recall with thanksgiving glittering occasions.

Go to Next Page

Go to Previous Page

Go to Index Page

Go to Home Page