Justin Welby rejected as leader by conservative Anglicans over same-sex blessings

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A group of Anglican leaders from around the world have rejected the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, as their leader after the Church of England backed prayers of blessing for same-sex couples.

Archbishops representing 10 of the 42 provinces in the Anglican Communion have signed a statement saying they no longer consider Mr Welby "leader of the global communion".

They added the Church of England was "disqualified" as their historic "Mother Church".

It is the first time that the Archbishop of Canterbury's leadership has been rejected by such a large group of churches.

Since its formation in 1867, the incumbent Archbishop of Canterbury has taken the role of spiritual leader of the Anglican Communion, which is a global fellowship of 42 Anglican churches.

He has no formal power - instead, he has moral authority and is seen as the "first among equals".

 

Lambeth Palace, the official residence of the Archbishop of Canterbury, said no formal change to the Anglican Communion's structure could be made without approval from its four governing "instruments".