New Archbishop of Canterbury Rt Rev Justin Welby to carry on tweeting

Published on 10/11/2012 02:46

the Rt Rev Justin Welby, the Bishop of Durham, was billed in advance as having a good sense of humour and a self-deprecating manner.

His appearance before reporters and banks of TV cameras in the grand surroundings of the Guard Room of Lambeth Palace did not disappoint.

He cracked a series of jokes in between making serious points about topics such as Church finance and how to get more worshippers into the pews.

He quipped: “This is the best kept secret since the last Cabinet reshuffle,” in reference to days of speculation and reports that he was to take up the post.

Asked how he felt when he was offered the job, he said his initial reaction had been one of “Oh no!”

Bishop Welby, who has 2,500 followers on Twitter, said he intended to carry on tweeting once installed as Archbishop of Canterbury. He said: “It is quite dangerous trying to say things in 140 characters and can lead you into all sorts of deep water, but, yes, I intend to go on doing that.”