The Chairman, Lord Hurd, and his colleagues welcome views on the Review's terms of reference. This note explains why the Review was set up, and the areas in which it will be particularly - though not exclusively - helpful to have responses.

Background

The Archbishop's functions are a unique mixture of the institutional and the personal. For example, although he has anciently established legal functions as the diocesan bishop of Canterbury and Primate of All England, by custom and practice he occupies a prominent place (including through his membership of the Legislature) in the public affairs of the nation. In addition, he is the senior bishop in a growing Anglican Communion of nearly 70 million which has in recent decades developed significant momentum and institutions of its own. The Archbishop is also widely expected to offer moral and ethical guidance and leadership on issues of public concern in relation to which he will have no direct, executive authority.

Furthermore, he is a leading figure in developing relations between the Churches, both internationally and as one of the Presidents of Churches Together in England. He is also a major contributor to the development of dialogue with other faiths, and in helping to represent the faith dimensions to international institutions such as the World Bank.

It is evident that, in recent years, his responsibilities have greatly increased. As one observer has put it:

"Never has the chair of St Augustine been so widely respected or have the responsibilities of its occupant been so vast. There is no reason to believe that this will suddenly alter."

The Review

The present Archbishop has concluded that the time is right to take stock of developments and consider how the roles of the See should in future be best addressed. To that end he has set up this Review with the following terms of reference:

• To examine the present responsibilities of the see of Canterbury;
• to reflect upon the continuing growth and evolution of the office and role of Archbishop;
• to consider possible future developments;
• to make recommendations in the light of these considerations concerning the office and its resources, in order to ensure that it may continue to be discharged effectively.

It is not the purpose of the Review to try to pre-empt how occupants of the See of Canterbury should in every respect carry out functions which are bound to be in many respects intensely personal in their mix and have at times to be responsive to events which in their nature cannot be foreseen. However, it will be helpful to explore the views not only of members of the Communion but of all interested individuals and parties wherever they may be as to what considerations might inform the choices all modern Archbishops have to make from amongst the demands that press upon them. After considering the product of this initial phase of evidence gathering to which you are invited to contribute, the Review intends to consult further on its emerging findings before concluding its work.

It follows that Lord Hurd and his colleagues would find it particularly helpful if you could, in addition to any other points you would like to make, address the following points:

• What from your experience and knowledge do you most value in the current work of the Archbishop?
• Of the rest of his role, which do you think are the most important elements?
• From your perception, what deserves more attention and what less?
• Similarly, in what additional areas of possible activity, if any, would you wish to see the Archbishop involved or more closely involved?
• In any of those cases, what scope - if any - may there be for others (for example - though not necessarily exclusively - senior bishops) to share functions and/or work which has so far been drawn - perhaps unsystematically - to the Archbishop?
• How significant do you believe the diocesan role to be in the responsibilities of the Archbishop?
• What views, if any, do you have about how the wider Anglican Communion should develop, and what should be the function of the Archbishop in relation to the Communion?
• What should be the Archbishop's role as respects both Christian unity and interfaith dialogue?
• What may be in your view the proper limits and scope of the Archbishop's involvement in public affairs both in the United Kingdom and abroad?
• What nowadays is needed to support the role?