The “leadership” of Dr. Rowan Williams seems to be coming to an end.
The BBC reports:
Archbishop of Canterbury Dr Rowan Williams has announced he is to stand down in December.
He will take the position of Master of Magdalene College at the University of Cambridge from January next year, his website says.
Dr Williams, 61, was appointed the 104th Archbishop of Canterbury in 2002.
In a statement on his website, the head of the 85 million-strong Anglican Communion said serving as archbishop had been “an immense privilege”.
He said stepping down had not been an easy decision and that during the time he had left there was “much to do”.
Dr Williams thanked those in the Church of England and the wider Anglican Communion who had “brought vision, hope and excitement” during his ministry.
In a more in-depth interview, Dr Williams reflected on growing divisions within the Anglican Church, and said it seemed some conflicts would not go away “however long you struggle with them”.
Under his leadership, the Church of England has come close to splitting over the ordination of gay clergy and women bishops. Dr Williams has consistently supported the ordination of women, and previously showed no objection to the appointment of an openly-gay bishop in Reading.
Dr Williams also reflected on his controversial remarks in 2008 that adoption of certain aspects of Sharia law in the UK seemed “unavoidable,” saying he stood by his argument.
You can walk down memory lane with us at CMR stories concerning Dr. Williams.
Ah, remember when he pretty much called Shakespeare a jerky Catholic.
How about when he said the Catholic Church had lost all credibility.
His communion service for gay clergy.
In many ways Dr. Williams has been a catastrophe. It’ll be interesting to see who his successor is.
March 16, 2012 at 4:53 pm
At last this terrible Monty Python skit is over.
March 16, 2012 at 4:55 pm
Looks like he's bottled it over gay marriage.
March 16, 2012 at 5:34 pm
You do realize that Pope Benedict is very fond of him and considers him a friend?
March 16, 2012 at 5:36 pm
I'd be curious about stats – how many Anglicans attend church when he became archbishop and how many do now.
March 16, 2012 at 6:12 pm
wow- 61 is so young- my husband hopes to be still ministering publicly into his 80s (Lord willing)
March 16, 2012 at 7:02 pm
That picture of him in the article is strange. He appears to be flying high under the inflence of a powerful drug. Hmmm, that might explain some of his statements and actions over the last few years…..
March 16, 2012 at 8:08 pm
"In many ways Dr. Williams has been a catastrophe. It'll be interesting to see who his successor is."
Oh come on. We all should know that this "church" has just about imploded, and that the successor will be some rainbow-robed priestess.
March 16, 2012 at 8:08 pm
61 double wow. Thats too young to give up the helm…unless the internal numbers are much worst than we think and he just get out before the end.
March 16, 2012 at 8:12 pm
I posted my previous comment too quickly. It will be a rainbow-robed active lesbian priestess that encourages abortion as a sacrament and a blessing and who professes that the koran and Bible are the same thing and who practices as a muslim as well as a priestess to the "creator" in all Her goodness.
March 16, 2012 at 8:39 pm
We'll never have such a fun factor again.
But if we're lucky, his successor might be a Christian (don't hold your breath…).
Mundabor
March 16, 2012 at 8:44 pm
http://mundabor.wordpress.com/2012/03/16/rowan-williams-farewell-speech/
March 17, 2012 at 12:04 am
Archbishop Williams never had the "stomach" to face down the licentious non-doctrinal faction. He's wanted to go, and said he's wanted to go many times over the past few years. He's only comfortable in academia, not leading people in faith.
March 17, 2012 at 1:20 am
The picture says it all. St. Looney-Up-The-Creambun.
March 17, 2012 at 5:11 am
*yawn*. Who cares? And in other news, Swami Vishnu Mahassapimametalan says something in Hindi. A cult is a cult. Next.
March 17, 2012 at 6:44 am
As Anglicanism implodes, he is wise to quit early so all the blame doesn't fall on him. At least now he can just go out in a blaze of failure.
March 17, 2012 at 1:53 pm
When I opened up this webpage and saw that picture I had such a laugh! Good choice of photo. I am still laughing.
March 17, 2012 at 9:49 pm
"The picture says: "OH, Boy, more for me."
March 17, 2012 at 10:09 pm
Anonymous 1:34 Pope Benedict XVI is trying to save Rowan Williams soul
March 17, 2012 at 10:18 pm
PRIEST'S WIFE: WILLIAMS IS 61? He looks like a picture of Dorian Gray.
March 17, 2012 at 10:33 pm
Oh, come on Mary, Dorian Gray was nicer looking!