I Just Learned the Archbishop of Canterbury is Vacant

[Doom]

And has been since January. Not to be antagonistic, but I doubt that even most Anglicans would care all that much if it remains vacant for a couple of years.

Yet, when Pope Francis died, it was a huge story, covered by every news provider in the world for days. The networks interrupted normal programming to show the Papal funeral, and the Cardinals entering the Conclave, Cardinals from every continent in the world, representing dozens of countries. And the networks interrupted regular programming to report black smoke, they interrupted programming to say "No new Pope has been elected."

The non-election of a new Pope gains more interest, worldwide, than the election of any other religious leader, whether the Archbishop of Canterbury or the Patriarch of Constantinople.


The same was true of my local bishop, it was on the local news and the front page of the local newspaper for days. It was big news when a new bishop was named, his ordination was broadcast live by the local NBC affiliate. No other local religious leader gets this kind of coverage.

It just makes me think, "Which Church sounds like it is the Universal Church?". Gauged by the level of interest, worldwide, and not just from Catholics, there is simply no competitor.

[Riverboat]

Are you talking about the seat or the space between his ears?

[Doom]

Justin Welby resigned on January 7 but there doesn’t appear to be any rush to fill the position

[Highlander]

To the OP, I offer that, when the COE and its offshoots chose the way of the world, news of their events became ephemeral. Like all other passing reporting of all other transitory affairs.

As much as it pains me to see the Church's fusses grabbed by secular media and used for secular purposes, I am reminded that the Church remains a foundation for our world and that the Church matters.

[Obi-Wan Kenobi]

Didn't Ephemeral used to play shortstop for the Mets?

[Highlander]

Until he was traded to the White Sox, where he played second. He was replaced by Giovanni Farina, who was called up from AAA, but only lasted half a season.