Ill Archbishop of Canterbury cancels sermon

Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby has been forced to cancel his Christmas Day sermon after falling ill. Picture: PA

Lambeth Palace said the Most Rev Justin Welby has been suffering from a “severe cold” for several days and decided this morning that he was too unwell to speak at the annual Canterbury Cathedral service.

A Lambeth Palace spokesman said: “The Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Rev Justin Welby, is suffering from a severe cold and will, with great regret, no longer be preaching the sermon at Canterbury Cathedral this morning.

“The Dean of Canterbury, the Very Rev Robert Willis, will deliver a homily.”

 SEE ALSO • Archbishop of Canterbury champions TV religion

• Archbishop: My shock at hungry Britain

CONNECT WITH THE SCOTSMAN

• Subscribe to our daily newsletter (requires registration) and get the latest news, sport and business headlines delivered to your inbox every morning

• You can also follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Google +