During this past weekend the publication of a book by Archbishop Rowan Williams was the peg for a number of press reports as to the nature and the future of the office in relation to the Church of England and the Anglican Communion. The effect was such that the Anglican Communion office issued a corrective to the Daily Telegraph’s report. Summaries of the reports and links to the full texts follow.
My job is too big for one man, says Archbishop of Canterbury
John Bingham and Benedict Brogan, writing in The Daily Telegraph –
The Anglican Church is drawing up plans for a historical overhaul that would see the introduction of a ‘presidential’ figure to take over some of the global role of the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams has revealed.
The outgoing leader of the world’s 77 million Anglicans suggested a form of job share after admitting that he had failed to do enough to prevent a split over homosexuality.
Dr Williams said a new role should be created to oversee the day to day running of the global Anglican communion, leaving future Archbishops of Canterbury free to focus on spiritual leadership and leading the Church of England.
In his last major interview before he steps down later his year, he acknowledged that he had struggled to balance the growing demands of the job at home and abroad and admitted he had “disappointed” both liberals and conservatives.
He also said that the Church had been “wrong” in its treatment of homosexuals in the past but reiterated his opposition to same-sex marriage.
In a wide-ranging interview with The Daily Telegraph, Dr Williams also acknowledged that his handling of the controversy over the role of Islamic sharia law in Britain had caused “confusion” but said he stood by his central views.
The ACNS has published a correction to this article
The Secretary General of the Anglican Communion has responded to an article in today’s The Telegraph newspaper that inaccurately stated: “The Anglican Church is drawing up plans… that would see the introduction of a ‘presidential’ figure to take over some of the global role of the Archbishop of Canterbury.”
“The opening paragraph of this article is mischievous,” said Canon Kenneth Kearon.
“There are no such plans. The Archbishop of Canterbury simply said in the interview that he could see that in the future there might be some reflection on how the administrative load associated with the Anglican Communion might be better shared.
“The Anglican Communion has several decision-making bodies, one of which is meeting in a few months’ time. Nothing like what this newspaper has suggested is on the agenda.”
http://www.anglicancommunion.org/acns/news.cfm/2012/9/8/ACNS5179
Archbishop launches parting attack on critics
Edward Malnick and Cole Moreton, Telegraph – For almost 10 years he has endured a simultaneous barrage of criticism from those who say he should not meddle in politics and those who argue that when he talks about the Bible he becomes “irrelevant”.
This week the Archbishop of Canterbury issues a challenge to critics in a book which he introduces with a warning that he has become “resilient” and even “rebellious”.
Faith in the Public Square is a collection of lectures from his decade as Archbishop, all of them couched in the academic language that has become familiar from Dr Rowan Williams.
However, he uses the introduction, which he wrote this summer, to also make a fresh series of attacks on the Government and on his opponents in the Church of England.
He prefaces his remarks by saying that as he reaches the end of his time in office he is willing to take the “risk” that he will encounter further criticism — then takes it with a forthright attack on the Government’s economic record.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/religion/9530382/Archbishop-launches-parting-attack-on-critics.html
Church of England ‘to split Archbishop of Canterbury role’
Metro – If the plans are approved, future Archbishops will be free to focus on the job of leading the Church of England, with a second senior figure given responsibility for overseeing the day-to-day running of the Anglican Communion and its 77 million members.
http://www.metro.co.uk/news/911248-church-of-england-to-split-archbishop-of-canterbury-role
Rowan Williams: Church ‘wrong’ about homosexuality but Cameron has …
PinkNews – Dr Williams accused the Prime Minister on bringing “embarrassment” on the Church of England through a “very inadequate” consultation on the introduction of equal marriage. Dr Williams was no doubt referring to the Prime Minister’s attack on the Church …
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2012/09/08/rowan-williams-church-wrong-about-homosexuality-but-david-cameron-has-embarrassed-us-on-gay-marriage/
Who will the next Archbishop of Canterbury be?
Jayne Lutwyche of BBC Religion and Ethics gives a comprehensive brief on the process and the likely candidates for consideration.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/0/19093978