SPCK has quietly erased the former Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Rev. Justin Welby, from the cover of its 2025 collection of Lenten studies and meditations. Published on 18 December 2024 under the title “Wild Bright Hope” the collection of 12 essays had the subtitle: “Reflections on Faith: Justin Welby, the Archbishop of Canterbury’s Lent Book 2025.”
After the archbishop’s shock resignation in December, the SPCK withdrew the first issue carrying the archbishop’s imprimatur. It reissued the book on 17 January 2025 with a new cover and new subtitle: “Reflections on Faith: The Big Church Read Lent Book 2025”. The new release is Welby-free.
The December cover:
The January cover:
