THE Right Reverend Justin Welby will have his work cut out if, as widely expected, he is named the new Archbishop of Canterbury tomorrow (November 9).

He takes over a Church which feels battle weary and tired, after fierce rows over women bishops and gay priests in recent years.

Rowan Williams’ time in the top job was marked by a bruising war between liberals, led by North American churches, and evangelicals, many based in Africa; who hold massively varying views over homosexuality and the direction of the Anglican Communion.

It is likely Synod, the Church’s parliament, will have voted to introduce women bishops before Bishop Welby takes up the post in December, with a three-day meeting scheduled for London next week.

However, the issue will be far from resolved, with more churches poised to leave the Anglican churches for Catholicism.

After announcing he was stepping down, Dr Williams said he thought his successor would need the “constitution of an ox and the skin of a rhinoceros”.

Bishop Welby supports women bishops and opposes gay marriage; but he is a skilled diplomat and optimists will be hoping he can heal wounds and bring warring Christians to unity once again.

He is humble and down-to-earth; but also practical and decisive. He is personable and warm.

And he has a track record of increasing church attendance and has embraced social media – with 2,500 people following him on Twitter.