Justin Welby revealed on Friday it was "a complete surprise" to learn through DNA evidence his father was not Gavin Welby but Sir Winston Churchill's last private secretary, the late Sir Anthony Montague Browne.
He released a statement in which he said: "I know that I find who I am in Jesus Christ, not in genetics, and my identity in him never changes."
Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live, Graham James, the Bishop of Norwich said: "For the Archbishop, I think, of course, it is a surprise but he is dealing with it. I talked to him quite a lot last week, he is dealing with it with his usual maturity."
Prayers for @JustinWelby and his mother. Our life in Christ matters most of all.
— Cardinal Nichols (@CardinalNichols) 9 April 2016
Maidenhead Synagogue's Rabbi Dr Jonthan Romain told the Sunday Telegraph Justin Welby had set a "good example" for dealing with unexpected news.
He also said: "The news does not affect his personal identity in any way - he is who he has become - nor does it lessen his authority as Archbishop."
Commenting on the Archbishop's statement, Bishop Anba Angaelos, the General Bishop of the Coptic Orthodox Church in the United Kingdom said it was: "indicative of the peace, love, forgiveness and resolve that we are not only all called to, but all endowed with if we but allow God's healing, reconciling and comforting presence in our lives".
Premier yesterday reported how Justin Welby's mother, Lady Williams of Elvel, spoke of her shock at the relevation over his biological father.
The 86-year-old added she remembered going to bed with Sir Anthony Montague Browne, "fuelled by a large amount of alcohol on both sides".