George Carey, who is about to retire as Archbishop of Canterbury, finally went in to bat yesterday for his successor, Rowan Williams, in the face of vociferous condemnations from fringe evangelical groups that the archbishop-elect is a heretic.
Dr Carey, who steps down at the end of this month, has incurred criticism from some quarters for remaining silent while Dr Williams has weathered criticism for his supposedly liberal views.
The entire bench of bishops joined in, offering Dr Williams their unanimous support in a joint statement.
Dr Williams, currently Archbishop of Wales, has been under pressure from the reactionary Church Society and the Reform pressure groups over his supposed support for homosexual clergy, though he has repeatedly insisted he accepts traditional church teaching on sexual issues.
In an interview in the Roman Catholic weekly the Tablet, published today, Dr Carey says: "Dr Williams should be judged on what he has been doing in Wales. There is no evidence that he has been anything other than a traditional Christian, so I'd be very surprised if my successor were to rock the boat.
"Who am I or anybody else to say my successor is not also God's choice? My innings is over and he comes in to bat. We pass on the field, and I say: 'Good luck, old man. Go in there and sock a few balls around the place.' No one would be more delighted than me if he scores a six or two."
In their statement the House of Bishops offered unanimous congratulations: "We know your God-given qualities as priest, leader, theologian and friend will serve the church with distinction and grace."