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Archbishop defends Sharia remarks Archbishop defends Sharia remarks
(20 minutes later)
The Archbishop of Canterbury has defended his decision to speak on Sharia law, saying it was his duty to speak on behalf of other religions. The Archbishop of Canterbury has defended his decision to speak on Sharia law, saying it is right to air the concerns of faith communities.
Dr Rowan Williams said although he felt some of his remarks had been taken out of context, he took full responsibility for any resulting misunderstanding. Dr Rowan Williams told the general synod although he felt some remarks had been taken out of context, he took responsibility for any confusion.
Dr Williams was clarifying comments in which he implied adopting aspects of Sharia in the UK was "unavoidable". He was clarifying earlier comments in which he implied adopting aspects of Sharia in the UK was "unavoidable".
The prime minister earlier praised Dr Williams' "great integrity". Gordon Brown earlier praised Dr Williams' "great integrity".
Dr Williams told clergy at the Church of England synod he believed "some of what has been heard is a very long way indeed from what was actually said".
"But I must of course take responsibility for any unclarity in either that text or in the radio interview and for any misleading choice of words that's helped to cause distress or misunderstanding among the public at large, and especially among my fellow Christians.''
He went on to say he did not regret addressing the issue of Sharia law.
"I believe quite strongly that it is not inappropriate for a pastor of the Church of England to address issues about the perceived concerns of other religious communities, and to try and bring them into better public focus."
Liberties and consciences
Part of the "burden and the privilege of being the Church" in the UK meant that people looked to the clergy for "some coherent voice on behalf of all the faith communities living here".
He added: "If we can attempt to speak for the liberties and consciences of others in this country - as well as our own - we shall, I believe, be doing something we as a church are called to do in Christ's name: witnessing to his Lordship, not compromising it. "
Dr Williams sparked a major row after saying, in a BBC Radio 4 interview last week, that the adoption of parts of Sharia law was "unavoidable" in Britain.
He has insisted he was not advocating a parallel set of laws, but has faced calls for his resignation.