Archbishop of Canterbury steps down

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.

Dr Williams, 61, will leave at the end of December in time to start his new role next January.

Lambeth Palace said the Queen, as Supreme Governor of the Church of England, has been informed.

Dr Williams, who was confirmed as 104th Archbishop of Canterbury and spiritual leader of the 77 million-strong Anglican Communion in December 2002, said 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.”

Dr 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.

Dr Williams’ predecessor, Lord Carey, held the post of archbishop of Canterbury for 11-and-a-half years and retired at 66 in 2002.