Welcome for C of E call to 'cut apron stings' with state -Jun 10, 2002
Theological think-tank Ekklesia, has welcomed the call by Archbishop Desmond Tutu for reform of the way that the Archbishop of Canterbury is appointed and recognition that such decisions effect the whole Anglican communion, not just the Church of England.

In an interview for BBC2’s Newsnight programme to be broadcast tonight, Tutu will question the existing links between the Church of England and the state. He will also suggest that it is ‘time to cut the apron strings’ and end the situation which gives the Prime Minister the final say in the appointment of Archbishops.

The interview follows increased interest and questioning by members of many Christian denominations concerning the relationship between Church and state. The Evangelical Alliance, which represents one million Evangelicals in the UK, last month launched a landmark Inquiry to explore the relationship between Faith and Nation in 21st Century Britain. Amongst other things, the Inquiry will examine the issues surrounding establishment of the Church of England.
In tonight’s interview, the former Primate of South Africa is also reported as calling for a widening of the selection procedure for the Archbishop of Canterbury by opening up the post to candidates from Anglican churches overseas. He is also expected to suggest that the process be democratised.

Commenting on Archbishop Desmond Tutu’s call for reform, director of the theological think-tank Ekklesia, Jonathan Bartley said; “the Archbishop’s comments are an extremely welcome contribution to the debate about how the Church of England might be disestablished. He has made the important point that establishment effects not only the churches in England but also Christians throughout the whole Anglican communion.”

He continued; “there is a very strong theological case for disestablishing the Church, which is frequently eclipsed by misleading arguments about how establishment gives the Church important influence in the affairs of the nation. Debate about establishment must be underpinned by an understanding that the Church of England exists first and foremost as part of the universal church before its relationship to one nation can be considered.”