welby-father-main

He had believed his father was Gavin Welby, but the archbishop’s mother, Lady Williams of Elvel, 86, has admitted an illicit liaison with Sir Anthony in an encounter ‘fuelled by a large amount of alcohol on both sides’. DNA evidence confirmed that Sir Anthony was indeed the archbishop’s biological father.

The archbishop said, ‘This revelation has, of course, been a surprise, but in my life and in our marriage Caroline and I have had far worse.

‘I know that I find who I am in Jesus Christ, not in genetics, and my identity in him never changes.

‘At the very outset of my inauguration service three years ago, Evangeline Kanagasooriam, a young member of the Canterbury Cathedral congregation, said: “We greet you in the name of Christ. Who are you, and why do you request entry?” To which I responded: “I am Justin, a servant of Jesus Christ, and I come as one seeking the grace of God to travel with you in his service together.” What has changed? Nothing!’