During Justin Welby's almost 12 years as Archbishop of Canterbury, regular attendance at Church of England services has continued to decline, despite multiple evangelistic efforts to re-engage the faithful. In 2012, shortly before his appointment, attendance exceeded one million but had dwindled to just 685,000 by 2023. This decline is part of a broader trend observed in the 2021 census, which revealed that less than half the population of England and Wales now identifies as Christian.
Welby's tenure has been marked by significant cultural shifts within the Church of England. His push for female bishops, culminating in the consecration of Libby Lane, represented a landmark achievement following contentious debates. The C of E is now faced with ongoing tensions surrounding longtime disagreements between traditionalists and progressives, especially regarding issues of sexuality and same-sex marriage, significantly influencing church dynamics and future trajectories.
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