Rowan Williams
What Jeffrey John’s rejection says about unity in the Anglican Communion
Religious groups rally around U.N. climate talks in Warsaw
ANALYSIS: Persecuted Coptic Christians still hopeful
Justin Welby installed as 105th Archbishop of Canterbury
Justin Welby confirmed as new Archbishop of Canterbury
Parliament bars Church of England from hosting gay weddings
CANTERBURY, England (RNS) The British government unveiled a proposal on Tuesday (Dec. 11) that excludes the Church of England and the Church in Wales from planned legislation to allow same-sex couples to marry in churches. By Trevor Grundy.
Christianity in Britain losing ground to Islam, secularism
CANTERBURY, England (RNS) New figures from the 2011 National Census show that the number of people who identify as Christians in England and Wales has fallen by 4 million over the last 10 years, from 37.3 million to 33 million last year. By Trevor Grundy.
Church of England rejects women bishops
LONDON (RNS) In a surprise move that shocked both sides of a years-long debate, the Church of England on Tuesday (Nov. 20) rejected an expected move to allow women bishops, preserving the church's status as one of the last bastions of male privilege in the United Kingdom. By Trevor Grundy.
New Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby inherits a divided Anglican Communion
CANTERBURY, England (RNS) Bishop Justin Welby, a former oil executive who's emerged as a critic of corporate excess, was named Friday (Nov. 9) as the 105th archbishop of Canterbury, primate of the Church of England and leader of the worldwide 77 million-member Anglican Communion. By Trevor Grundy.
Is the British monarch the ‘Defender of the Faith’ or ‘Faiths’?
LONDON (RNS) As Britain waits for Queen Elizabeth II to appoint a new archbishop of Canterbury, there's renewed attention on her title of "Defender of the Faith." By Trevor Grundy.
Archbishop of Canterbury slams Christians who feel `disgusted’ about homosexuality
LONDON (RNS) Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams criticized some Christians for feeling so "embarrassed and ashamed and disgusted" over homosexuality that they send out a message signaling a lack of understanding and patience. By Al Webb.
GUEST COMMENTARY: When religion and spirituality collide
The Anglican fight over gay clergy is usually framed as a left and right conflict, part of the larger saga of political division. But this narrative obscures a more significant tension in Western societies: the increasing gap between spirituality and religion, and the failure of traditional religious institutions to learn from the divide. By Diana Butler Bass.
As Rowan Williams retires, speculation turns to successor
LONDON (RNS) Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams said Friday (March 16) he will step down at the end of 2012, setting the stage for the unique process of government officials appointing the new leader of the worldwide Anglican Communion. By Al Webb and Kevin Eckstrom.