Archbishop’s tribute on The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee – The Archbishop of Canterbury Dr Rowan Williams has issued a video tribute to the Queen, in which he gives a rare insight into her personality.
There have been many attempts by journalists, politicians and others to comment on the contribution of the Queen over the past sixty years. There are very few which address the spirituality and Christian commitment which lie at the heart of the current monarch’s concept of her role, and which has shaped her service and response to her identity as a baptised christian and that her coronation took place within a service of Holy Communion.
Dr Williams has regularly met the Queen in private during the past 10 years in his role as Church of England leader.
As Supreme Governor of the Church – a position occupied by Kings and Queens since Henry VIII’s 16th Century break with the Pope – the Queen is his boss.
He described how the Queen could be “extremely funny in private”.
The Archbishop’s talk is on You Tube. It contains some quite magnificent views of Westminster Abbey. Also shown is the Prayer Book prepared for the Queen in the days leading up to her coronation. The Act of Anointing within the Service of Holy Communion which is at the heart of the Coronation was a moment of great import to the Queen.
From a Christian perspective, Archbishop Williams has shaped a talk and ensured its presentation in a manner which is well above the standard of much better financed media sources. Here is a true collector’s item from the Jubilee, which says all that needs to be said, and says it with clarity and conviction.
We unhesitatingly commend it to you, no matter where you live or what your political or religious convictions may be.
Houston McKelvey
See:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=hlvQsSq9Z24
A transcrpit of the talk is availalbe at:
http://www.archbishopofcanterbury.org/articles.php/2509/