Rt Rev Welby on his Archbishop appointment

"To be nominated to this post is both astonishing and exciting. It is something I never expected, and the last few weeks have been a very strange experience.

It is exciting because we are at one of those rare points where the tide of events is turning, and the church nationally, including the Church of England has great opportunities to match its very great but often hidden strengths.

I feel a massive sense of privilege at being one of those responsible for the leadership of the church in a time of spiritual hunger, when our network of parishes and churches and schools and above all people means that we are facing the toughest issues in the toughest place."