There is some good writing on the tail end of the Archibshop row in the Guardian today.
Their top leader article reflects on the "Archbishop of Canterbury - Wounded and wiser". Quite rightly the leader shifts attention to Williams' next, and more substantial challenge, which is the Lambeth Conference and the extnded debate on sexuality in the church:
For the reality, as Dr Williams made clear to the synod after the cameras had been switched off, is that the Anglican church is facing an internal battle at the forthcoming Lambeth conference which will define its place and credibility within 21st-century Britain. The really big challenge that Dr Williams faces this year is not about sharia. It is about whether he can give clear leadership on the issue of gay bishops and the place of homosexual and lesbian people within the church. His leadership has been found wanting on that issue until now. The faltering way in which he handled the sharia argument has not encouraged confidence that he will rise to the greater challenge this summer.
There is an article by Andrew Anthony which quite rightly concludes:
Much of the grievance members of other religions and denominations currently feel stems from the privilege - state endorsement, parliamentary representation - that Dr Williams's church conspicuously enjoys. Who can deny that the church's special treatment looks increasingly absurd in our multicultural society? Even Dr Williams himself has acknowledged that Britain is not a Christian country in terms of "active churchgoers". Therefore the choice on offer is either to downgrade the Church of England, or upgrade other religions. Dr Williams has made his preference obvious.
He should think again. If he really wants the hateful media off his back, he ought to separate his church from the British state.
In another article, Giles Fraser, vicar of Putney concludes:
Courage is traditionally one of the greatest of Christian virtues. In the midst of a media shit storm, the gutless will run for the cover of received wisdom. Dr Williams has weathered the storm and done us all a favour.
The Guardian's cartoonist, Martin Rowson, takes up that "shit storm" theme with a brilliant cartoon here (which I have reproduced in low resolution and small size above).
Their top leader article reflects on the "Archbishop of Canterbury - Wounded and wiser". Quite rightly the leader shifts attention to Williams' next, and more substantial challenge, which is the Lambeth Conference and the extnded debate on sexuality in the church:
For the reality, as Dr Williams made clear to the synod after the cameras had been switched off, is that the Anglican church is facing an internal battle at the forthcoming Lambeth conference which will define its place and credibility within 21st-century Britain. The really big challenge that Dr Williams faces this year is not about sharia. It is about whether he can give clear leadership on the issue of gay bishops and the place of homosexual and lesbian people within the church. His leadership has been found wanting on that issue until now. The faltering way in which he handled the sharia argument has not encouraged confidence that he will rise to the greater challenge this summer.
There is an article by Andrew Anthony which quite rightly concludes:
Much of the grievance members of other religions and denominations currently feel stems from the privilege - state endorsement, parliamentary representation - that Dr Williams's church conspicuously enjoys. Who can deny that the church's special treatment looks increasingly absurd in our multicultural society? Even Dr Williams himself has acknowledged that Britain is not a Christian country in terms of "active churchgoers". Therefore the choice on offer is either to downgrade the Church of England, or upgrade other religions. Dr Williams has made his preference obvious.
He should think again. If he really wants the hateful media off his back, he ought to separate his church from the British state.
In another article, Giles Fraser, vicar of Putney concludes:
Courage is traditionally one of the greatest of Christian virtues. In the midst of a media shit storm, the gutless will run for the cover of received wisdom. Dr Williams has weathered the storm and done us all a favour.
The Guardian's cartoonist, Martin Rowson, takes up that "shit storm" theme with a brilliant cartoon here (which I have reproduced in low resolution and small size above).
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