JUSTIN Welby, the former Bishop of Durham, was today formally enthroned as the 105th Archbishop of Canterbury. Mark Tallentire was there to see it happen.

AT PRECISELY three o’clock, the first of three loud bangs was heard on the West Door of Canterbury Cathedral. Justin Welby had arrived.

The doors parted like the Red Sea and the new Primate was greeted by a 17-year-old girl: Evangeline Kanagasooriam.

British-born of Sri Lankan parents, she was wearing traditional green dress to meet with the new Archbishop, in golden robes and mitre, staff in hand.

“We greet you,” she said, meekly.

In a way, the whole day was a greeting – and one which said much about the man who is now leader of 77 million Anglicans worldwide.

First, women were well represented: the first cross brought into the Cathedral in a long procession was carried by a woman and Archbishop Welby was formally placed onto his new throne by Sheila Anne Watson, the Archdeacon of Canterbury. The new Archbishop is a keen advocate of consecrating women as bishops.

Second, the healing of past wounds was a theme throughout. In the prayers of intercession, a young man named Nathan Wilson petitioned the Almighty to grant Justin “comfort and strength” that he may proclaim “the Gospel of reconciliation”.

Third, a desire to work across churches of all shades was clear. The aforementioned procession included clerics in all manner of outfits and the Archbishop insisted his signing of an Ecumenical Covenant be added to the already-packed Order of Service.

Fourth, the worldwide nature of the Anglican church was emphasised: there was a prayer said in French by the Archbishop of Burundi, the presentation of symbolic gifts from Jerusalem, Canada, Kenya, Hong Kong and the Democratic Republic of Congo, a Punjabi hymn and, an undoubted highlight, wildly joyous African music and dancing.

“It’s got a good reverberation, this Cathedral,” the Eton-educated former oil financier told the faithful at the opening of his sermon, “We are an international community.”

Durham, the Archbishop’s old stamping ground, was well represented: the procession included a 13-strong delegation, and the Bishop of Jarrow, Mark Bryant, followed later; and there was a hymn translated by the great Bishop Cosin.

Of course, there was Britishness too: the reading of a completely baffling legal mandate, legal wigs everywhere and a persistent awkward shyness, which remained until, entirely unexpectedly, a spontaneous round of applause broke out at the service’s close.

Alas, the greeting awaiting Archbishop Welby will not always be so welcoming. Serious and sensitive await him in his in-tray. Some bishops from different parts of the globe and with varying theological stances were willing to worship in the same Cathedral today, but would not speak to each other. However, the new man at the top is a humble, prayerful, servant leader. As thousands of people stood to welcome him into his new Cathedral, his response was to close his eyes and bow his head in silent prayer.

In his sermon, he chose to reflect on the Biblical story of the disciple Peter walking on the water to meet Jesus.

“Peter ventures out in fear and trembling,” he said, “As you may imagine, I rather relate to him at this point.”

Amen to that.