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11 hours ago
Sunday, December 30, 2012
For the Record
Her Majesty The Queen has conferred a life peerage on Dr. Rowan Williams who retired today as the head of the Anglican Communion. If this is to honor his decision to step down I might find some merit in the honour. If however it is intended to commemorate his tenure, I am more than a little dubious.
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3 comments:
I find it ironic the title is "Baron of Oystermouth." Oystermouth is a perfect name for him.
If this is to honor his decision to step down I might find some merit in the honour.
It has become customary for retiring Archbishops of Canterbury to be raised to the peerage. Every Archbishop since Randall Davidson (died 1930) has been so honoured. It is a recognition of the dignity of the office, and implies no endorsement of an Archbishop's performance, either by the Sovereign or by the government of the day.
This custom did not exist until the twentieth century only because Archbishop Davidson was the first Archbishop of Canterbury to retire. Previous Archbishops (going back to St Augustine) served until death unless, like Cranmer, they were deposed -- and then burned.
The title is not "Lord Oystermouth," but "Lord Williams of Oystermouth."
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