guardian.co.uk,
Andrew Brown and agencies, Friday 16 March 2012
 |
| Dr Rowan Williams, who has resigned as archbishop of Canterbury. Photograph: Rebecca Naden/PA |
The
archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, is to resign and return to
academia, as master of Magdalene college, Cambridge.
Williams,
61, will leave his church post at the end of December in time to start his new
role next January.
His time in
office has been marked by a slowly growing schism in the worldwide Anglican
church which he has failed to heal.
Throughout
his time in office he has been attacked by conservatives for his liberal views
on homosexuality and by liberals for failing to live up to these principles.
The
bookies' favourite to succeed him is the archbishop of York, John Sentamu.
Lambeth
Palace said the Queen, as supreme governor of the Church of England, had been
informed.
Williams,
who was confirmed as 104th archbishop of Canterbury and spiritual leader of the
77 million-strong Anglican Communion in December 2002, told the Press
Association that occupying the post had been an "enormous" privilege.
He
described the Church of England as a "great treasure" which was still
a place where many people sought inspiration and comfort in times of need.
"I
would like the successor that God would like," he said.
"I
think that it is a job of immense demands and I would hope that my successor
has the constitution of an ox and the skin of a rhinoceros, really.
"But
he will, I think, have to look with positive, hopeful eyes on a church which,
for all its problems, is still for so many people, a place to which they resort
in times of need and crisis, a place to which they look for inspiration.
"I
think the Church of England is a great treasure.
"I
wish my successor well in the stewardship of it."
In a
statement issued by Lambeth Palace, he added: "It has been an immense
privilege to serve as archbishop of Canterbury over the past decade, and moving
on has not been an easy decision.
"During
the time remaining there is much to do, and I ask your prayers and support in
this period and beyond."
He added
that he was grateful for all the support he and his wife, Jane, had received.
"I am
abidingly grateful to all those friends and colleagues who have so generously
supported Jane and myself in these years, and all the many diverse parishes and
communities in the Church of England and the wider Anglican communion that have
brought vision, hope and excitement to my own ministry," he said.
"I
look forward, with that same support and inspiration, to continuing to serve
the church's mission and witness as best I can in the years ahead."
Williams
will continue to carry out all the duties and responsibilities of the
archbishop of Canterbury, both for the Church of England and the Anglican
communion, until the end of the year, Lambeth Palace said.
The Crown
Nominations Commission (CNC) would consider "in due course" the
selection of a successor.
Williams'
return to academia will mark the end of more than 20 years as a bishop and
archbishop. He was consecrated bishop of Monmouth in 1991 and elected
archbishop of Wales in 1999.
His
departure comes after tensions within the Anglican communion over the issue of
homosexuality.
The Church
of England general synod also looks likely to give final approval in July to
legislation introducing women bishops, with the threat of further walkouts by
traditionalists.
Williams's
predecessor, Lord Carey, held the post of archbishop of Canterbury for 11 and a
half years and retired at 66 in 2002.
 |
Dr Rowan
Williams became, at 52, the youngest archbishop
of Canterbury for nearly 200
years. Photograph: Graeme
Robertson for the Guardian
|
"Recalibration of Free Choice"– Mar 3, 2012 (Kryon Channelling by Lee Caroll) - (Subjects: (Old) Souls, Midpoint on 21-12-2012, Shift of Human Consciousness, Black & White vs. Color, 1 - Spirituality (Religions) shifting, Lose a Pope “soon”, 2 - Humans will change react to drama, 3 - Civilizations/Population on Earth, 4 - Alternate energy sources (Geothermal, Tidal (Pedal wheels), Wind), 5 – Financials Institutes/concepts will change (Integrity – Ethical) , 6 - News/Media/TV to change, 7 – Big Pharmaceutical company will collapse “soon”, (Keep people sick), (Integrity – Ethical) 8 – Wars will be over on Earth, Global Unity, … etc.) - New !
"Perceptions of God" – June 6, 2010 (Kryon channeled by Lee Carroll) (Subjects: Quantum Teaching, The Fear of God, Near-death Experience, God Becomes Mythology, Worship, Mastery, Intelligent Design, Benevolent Creator, Global Unity.... etc.) (Text version)
"Perceptions of God" – June 6, 2010 (Kryon channeled by Lee Carroll) (Subjects: Quantum Teaching, The Fear of God, Near-death Experience, God Becomes Mythology, Worship, Mastery, Intelligent Design, Benevolent Creator, Global Unity.... etc.) (Text version)
“.. For centuries you haven't been able to think past that box of what God must be like. So you create a Human-like God with wars in heaven, angel strife, things that would explain the devil, fallen angels, pearly gates, lists of dos and don'ts, and many rules still based on cultures that are centuries old. You create golden streets and even sexual pleasures as rewards for men (of course) - all Human perspective, pasted upon God. I want to tell you that it's a lot different than that. I want to remind you that there are those who have seen it! Why don't you ask somebody who has had what you would call a near-death experience?
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.