ENGLAND: YEAR OF HOPE AND PAIN FOR ARCHBISHOP

Rowan Williams interviewed by Martha Linden, Press Association

February 27, 2004

On the first anniversary of his enthronement, Archbishop of Canterbury Dr. Rowan Williams reflected on a year marked by intense pressure — especially the controversies surrounding Jeffrey John (gay but celibate nominee for Reading) and Gene Robinson (non-celibate, consecrated in New Hampshire).

He acknowledged the “very high personal cost to many people” and the difficulty of discerning “what the Church overall — worldwide as well as in England — was wanting.”

On sexuality and Synod:

No change in official teaching: “The Church of England’s position… remains pretty much where it was.”

While the tone of debate has improved (less anger, more openness), this does not open the door to same-sex blessings:

“Endorsing Some Issues in Human Sexuality… did not at all open the door to services of blessings for gay couples.”

On ecumenism and the Pope:

His October 2003 audience with Pope John Paul II was “moving.”

“The sheer Christian and human greatness of the man is just undeniable.”

He rejects the idea that Rome has “given up” on Anglican-Catholic unity: “No sense of the door closing, not at all.”

On women bishops:

“I do not have any theological objections to women bishops… In the long run, I do not think there is a theological defence” for limiting women to suffragan roles.

But implementation must be handled with care: “How it is introduced, at what price, is not something for which I have short and glib answers.”

On asylum policy:

Criticized government plans to reduce appeals for rejected asylum seekers:

“If you defend [British society] by means that victimise or exclude people unjustly, then the very thing you are defending is affected by that.”

On secularization:

Britain is not so much “unbelieving” as “confused” — citing surveys where 75% still identify as Christian.

Noted rising emotional volatility (e.g., public grief over Princess Diana) — but little “lively contact with the Church” among youth.

He misses Wales — “It is my home” — especially the collegiality of a smaller national church. Still, London offers cultural enrichment and new friendships.

Since enthronement, he has published:

Silence and Honey Cakes (on the Desert Fathers)

The Dwelling of the Light (meditations on icons)

A collection of essays

And yes — he still watches The Simpsons. “I try to keep it up… I was going to say religiously, but I’d better not.”

Dr Williams has published a book called Silence And Honey Cakes, on the contribution of the desert fathers in 4th century Egypt, and a book of meditations called The Dwelling Of The Light Praying With The Icons Of Christ, as well as a collection of essays since his enthronement.

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