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Williams to face Anglican leaders Williams to face Anglican leaders
(about 1 hour later)
The Archbishop of Canterbury is due to address the Church of England's General Synod amid criticism of his remarks on Muslim Sharia law.The Archbishop of Canterbury is due to address the Church of England's General Synod amid criticism of his remarks on Muslim Sharia law.
Dr Rowan Williams faced calls for him to quit after he implied some aspects of Sharia could be adopted in the UK.Dr Rowan Williams faced calls for him to quit after he implied some aspects of Sharia could be adopted in the UK.
BBC religious correspondent Robert Pigott says some traditionalist members of the Synod could ask for the issue to be debated, but that this was unlikely.BBC religious correspondent Robert Pigott says some traditionalist members of the Synod could ask for the issue to be debated, but that this was unlikely.
The Times says Gordon Brown has asked Dr Williams to clarify his remarks.The Times says Gordon Brown has asked Dr Williams to clarify his remarks.
It says the prime minister telephoned the archbishop and encouraged him to clarify his remarks, where he felt they may have been misinterpreted.It says the prime minister telephoned the archbishop and encouraged him to clarify his remarks, where he felt they may have been misinterpreted.
Confidence in the leadership of the Anglican church has plummeted Archbishop Gregory Venables Q and A: Sharia law explainedSharia law around the worldConfidence in the leadership of the Anglican church has plummeted Archbishop Gregory Venables Q and A: Sharia law explainedSharia law around the world
According to the Guardian Lambeth Palace indicated that the archbishop was prepared to improvise the 30-minute address, when he had previously intended to speak about the difficulties facing Christians in Zimbabwe.According to the Guardian Lambeth Palace indicated that the archbishop was prepared to improvise the 30-minute address, when he had previously intended to speak about the difficulties facing Christians in Zimbabwe.
Dr Williams sparked a major row after saying, in a BBC Radio 4 interview last week, that the adoption of parts of the law was "unavoidable" in Britain.Dr Williams sparked a major row after saying, in a BBC Radio 4 interview last week, that the adoption of parts of the law was "unavoidable" in Britain.
He has insisted he was not advocating a parallel set of laws but has faced calls for his resignation.He has insisted he was not advocating a parallel set of laws but has faced calls for his resignation.
Archbishop Gregory Venables is Primate of the Southern Cone, which is made up of seven dioceses across South America.Archbishop Gregory Venables is Primate of the Southern Cone, which is made up of seven dioceses across South America.
He said Dr Williams's comments were a "surprise".He said Dr Williams's comments were a "surprise".
Synod criticismSynod criticism
"Taken within the context of other things that have been said and done in recent months, it will just add to the general sense that confidence in the leadership of the Anglican Church has plummeted," he said."Taken within the context of other things that have been said and done in recent months, it will just add to the general sense that confidence in the leadership of the Anglican Church has plummeted," he said.
At home Dr Williams's remarks were criticised from his predecessor as the Church of England's leader, Lord Carey.At home Dr Williams's remarks were criticised from his predecessor as the Church of England's leader, Lord Carey.
On Sunday, he said the acceptance of some Muslim laws would be "disastrous" for Britain.On Sunday, he said the acceptance of some Muslim laws would be "disastrous" for Britain.
But, writing in the News of the World, Lord Carey said his successor should not be forced to quit.But, writing in the News of the World, Lord Carey said his successor should not be forced to quit.
Two Synod members called for Dr Williams to stand down following his remarks.Two Synod members called for Dr Williams to stand down following his remarks.
Colonel Edward Armitstead, a member from the diocese of Bath and Wells, said Dr Williams should move to work in a university setting instead of leading the Anglican Church.Colonel Edward Armitstead, a member from the diocese of Bath and Wells, said Dr Williams should move to work in a university setting instead of leading the Anglican Church.
Alison Ruoff, a Synod member from London, said he was "very able, a brilliant scholar as a man" but in terms of being a leader of the Christian community "he's actually at the moment a disaster".Alison Ruoff, a Synod member from London, said he was "very able, a brilliant scholar as a man" but in terms of being a leader of the Christian community "he's actually at the moment a disaster".