Justin Welby, the former oil executive who opposes gay marriage, has been confirmed as the next Archbishop of Canterbury, succeeding Dr Rowan Williams.
Having only been a Bishop for a year, serving in the Church's fourth most senior post in Durham, Welby is said to be just as astonished as everyone else at his meteoric rise up the ranks of the Church.
His appointment and tenure will be studied intensively, particularly for signs that he will be as outspoken on political and social issues as his predecessor.
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