AS THE Archbishop of Canterbury prepared to throw down the gauntlet to the Vatican this week, a new official portrait showed off his normal commitment to ecumenism.
The first portrait of Dr George Carey as primate of the Anglican communion has just gone on public view. It was painted by John Redvers, a former Anglican priest who converted to Catholicism.
Mr Redvers completed the work in six sittings with the Archbishop over last winter, despite struggling with poor lighting and the distraction of Terry Waite's release. The finished portrait is said to delight Dr Carey.
Mr Redvers' verdict on the Archbishop: "1 was very impressed by how very unselfish he is. The country may very well be in for a surprise after all his unfortunate press."
The portrait is on display al London's Mall Galleries until the end of May, before going to hang at Wells Cathedral. whose trustees originally commissioned the work.