Church could break apart, primate warns his successor
BRITAIN: The Archbishop of Canterbury warned his successor that the Church of England could yet break apart over the role of homosexuals and women in the church after announcing his resignation at the weekend.
In an outspoken statement, Dr Rowan Williams conceded there were conflicts that ‘‘won’t go away, however long you struggle with them’’. He added: ‘‘Not everybody in the Anglican Communion or even in the Church of England is eager to avoid schism or separation.’’
The archbishop’s admission that conflicts over sexuality had been a ‘‘major nuisance’’ came as allies of the prime minister indicated that he would accept a successor who was opposed to gay marriage.
One said: ‘‘While David [Cameron] might be a supporter of gay marriage, he’s clear he wouldn’t impose that on a church that didn’t want it. He is respectful of those who oppose him, and of their arguments.’’
The formal power of the prime minister to choose between two candidates was removed by Gordon Brown, and Cameron will be handed a ‘‘preferred name’’ that he is expected to approve.
Williams announced his resignation in a statement from Lambeth Palace after a decade in the post. It followed months of speculation that he would go this year. Successive rows in the church over homosexuality and women bishops have dogged his episcopacy.
His decision fired the starting gun for the race to succeed him, with the Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, the bookies’ favourite. He would be the first black archbishop of modern times.
Speaking after his resignation, Williams delivered a broadside against what he called the ‘‘ignorance and dim-witted prejudice’’ about Christianity.
He said he did not think Christianity was losing the battle against secularisation but bemoaned the fact that so many people were ignorant of religion. ‘‘There are an awful lot of people now of a certain generation who don’t really know how religion works, let alone Christianity in particular. And that leads to confusions and sensitivities in the wrong areas – you know, does wearing a cross offend people who have no faith or non-christians?’’
He spoke about the pressures and demands of the job as fevered speculation took off about his successor. And he said that the next archbishop will need the ‘‘constitution of an ox and the skin of a rhinoceros’’.
Reflecting on a ministry overshadowed by conflicts over sexuality he added: ‘‘In every job that you’re in, there are controversies and conflicts and this one isn’t going to go away in a hurry. So I can’t say that there’s a great sense of ‘free at last’.’’
Williams will step down at the end of December to become Master of Magdalene College, Cambridge. His successor will be chosen by the Crown Nominations Commission, a body of 16 voting members, with a chairman appointed by Cameron.
The prime minister, a committed member of the Church of England, is expected to take a close interest in the process through his appointments secretary, Sir Paul Britton, who will be a non-voting member and will lead the wide process with the archbishop’s appointments secretary, Caroline Boddington.
Cameron led tributes to the archbishop. ‘‘I would like to thank Rowan Williams for his dedicated service as Archbishop of Canterbury,’’ he said.
‘‘As a man of great learning and humility he guided the church through times of challenge and change.
‘‘He sought to unite different communities and offer a profoundly humane sense of moral leadership that was respected by people of all faiths.’’
Sentamu said: ‘‘It is with great sadness that I received the news that the Archbishop of Canterbury will be stepping down at the end of this year.
‘‘Our partnership in the gospel over the past six years has been the most creative period of my ministry.
‘‘In his company I have drunk deeply from the wells of God’s mercy and love and it has all been joyful. He is a real brother to me in Christ. The last decade has been a challenging time for the Church of England and the Anglican Communion.
‘‘Thankfully, Archbishop Rowan is a remarkable and gifted leader who has strengthened the bonds of affection.
‘‘Despite his courageous, tireless and holy endeavour, he has been much maligned by people who should have known better. For my part he has been God’s apostle for our time.’’