Rowan Williams is to step down after 10 years as Archbishop of Canterbury to take up a new post as Master of Magdalene College, Cambridge.

Pope Benedict XVI named a married former Episcopal bishop to head the first US organisational structure for disaffected Anglicans and Episcopalians who want to join the Catholic Church.

Pope Benedict XVI issued pleas for peace to reign across the world during his traditional Christmas address today, a call marred by Muslim extremists who attacked Christian churches in Nigeria, including bombing a Catholic Mass.

Anti-capitalist protesters will today be told to remove their tents outside St Paul’s Cathedral or face legal action.

The Archbishop of Canterbury today presented Zimbabwe president Robert Mugabe with a dossier of abuses Anglicans have suffered in his country.

Resurgent Potter-mania and the growth of downloadable summer reading has resulted in a boost to sales for Bloomsbury, the publisher said today.

Publisher Bloomsbury today said it remained cautious about current trading, despite a “resurgence of excitement” in the Harry Potter books.

CELIBATE gay men in civil partnerships could be ordained as Church of England bishops, it emerged last night.

BRITAIN’S most senior church leader accused the coalition government of causing widespread anxiety over austerity policies that it had not spelled out to voters before last year’s election.

IT was the kiss that sent more than half a million well-wishers and an estimated two billion television viewers around the world into raptures. But, as with any romance, not every girl was quite so happy to hear the news.

NEWLYWEDS William and Kate began their life together as a married couple last night after a glittering wedding ceremony that enthralled the world.

THEY had the eyes of the world upon them and Prince William, now the Duke of Cambridge, said all he had to do was get his lines right.

They had the eyes of the world upon them and Prince William, now the Duke of Cambridge, said all he had to do was get his lines right.

Prince William arrived at Westminster Abbey to marry Kate Middleton, with best man Prince Harry at his side.

Bride-to-be Kate Middleton arrived at Westminster Abbey today for her last rehearsal ahead of her wedding.

Last-minute preparations were under way today for the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton with the ceremony now just one night away.

BRITAIN’S Prince William and Kate Middleton made a rare pre-wedding appearance last night as they attended a rehearsal for their nuptials at Westminster Abbey.

One in three Irish people plans to watch the Royal Wedding, with a quarter of those tuning in at work.

MILLIONS fell silent yesterday led by services in London to remember those who have died in war.

The Pope today apologised for the “unspeakable crimes” committed by Catholic priests who sexually abused children.

HE came, he toured, he failed to conquer.

POPE Benedict XVI made history yesterday by becoming the first pontiff to step foot inside Lambeth Palace.

Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams welcomed Pope Benedict XVI to Lambeth Palace today for a historic meeting between the two religious leaders.

Pope Benedict’s historic arrival in Britain today was overshadowed by comments comparing the nation with a “third world country”.

THE Falklands war was in full swing and John Paul II was in London as the first pope ever to set foot on English soil.

The Pope’s visit to Britain this week will allow the country to gain “fresh energy and inspiration” from its “rich Christian inheritance”, a leading Catholic said today.

AS an Irish Catholic committed to ecumenism I was deeply affronted by the accusation of Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams to the effect that the Irish Catholic Church has lost all credibility.

THERE can be few things more calculated to rally support for the Catholic Church in Ireland than uninformed criticism from a British Protestant.

IF Rowan Williams isn’t careful, he’ll revitalise Irish Catholicism.

Cardinal Seán Brady in his Easter homily today said there was "no hiding place for abusers in the Church in Ireland".

The Archbishop of Canterbury tonight said he “had no intention of criticising or attacking” the Catholic Church after an interview in which he appeared to suggest the Church in Ireland had lost all credibility over the child abuse scandal.

The Archbishop of Canterbury tonight expressed his “deep sorrow and regret” after declaring the Catholic Church in Ireland had lost all credibility over the child abuse scandal.

The Church of Ireland's Archbishop of Dublin said today that he regrets the comments made by the Archbishop of Canterbury about the clerical sex abuse scandal in Ireland.

Archbishop of Dublin Diarmuid Martin today claimed he was stunned to hear the Archbishop of Canterbury declare the Catholic church in Ireland had lost all credibility because of the child abuse scandal.

DANISH police outnumbered protesters yesterday, detaining more than 200 people on a second day of demonstrations, as environment ministers met for informal talks to advance negotiations on a new pact.

POPE BENEDICT XVI has created a new church structure for Anglicans who want to join the Catholic Church, responding to the disillusionment of some Anglicans over the ordination of women and the election of openly gay bishops.

Episcopalians in the US have declared gays and lesbians eligible for “any ordained ministry”, a vote expected to upset world Anglican leaders who had sought a clear moratorium on consecrating another gay bishop.

THE BBC last night faced more pressure to broadcast a charity appeal for people in Gaza, as the Archbishop of Canterbury joined the row and more than 50 MPs signed a motion condemning the move.

The Archbishop of Canterbury today described the situation in Zimbabwe as a “complete humanitarian outrage” as he added his voice to a chorus of condemnation of the Mugabe regime.

THERE seems little chance that all Canadian Anglican clergy will honour the moratorium on blessing same-sex unions requested by the worldwide Anglican communion.

ANGLICAN bishops from around the world were gathering in Canterbury yesterday for the opening of the Lambeth Conference, with the 10-yearly meeting set to be overshadowed by deep splits over the roles of women and homosexuals.

RELIGIOUS and secular groups have criticised the Archbishop of Canterbury after he said the adoption of elements of Islamic sharia law in Britain “seems unavoidable”.

The Anglican church's most senior clergyman is questioning some long-held Christmas beliefs.