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Archbishop of Canterbury "Shocked" and "Completely Overwhelmed" by Tidal Wave of Criticism

By Hilary White

LONDON, February 12, 2008 (LifeSiteNews.com) - Rowan Williams, the Anglican Archbishop of Canterbury, is said to be "shocked" and "completely overwhelmed" by the outburst of anger from all quarters that followed his speech February 7 at the Royal Courts of Justice, and an interview with BBC radio, in which he said it is "unavoidable" that "some aspects" of Sharia law would be introduced in Britain.

The furore was given new fuel this week when it was revealed that the Department for Work and Pensions has drawn up new rules under which Muslim men may claim benefits for multiple wives.

In his comments to the BBC, Williams, the head of the constitutionally established Church of England, suggested that there is a religious equivalence between Islam and Christianity, saying, "The eternal law of religious communities is recognized by the law of the land."

While admitting that western democracies are based on the principle that the same law must apply to everyone, Williams said that this situation forces Muslims into "the stark alternatives of culture loyalty and state loyalty". A system, he said, "that says, there's one law for everybody, and that's all there is to be said - I think that's a bit of a danger."

Demands that he resign as Archbishop of Canterbury continue to be heard as Lambeth Palace issued a "clarification" statement that has prompted even more criticism. The Evening Standard, the Times and other papers have quoted unnamed sources in the leadership of the Church of England who are said to be "discussing the archbishop's future".

A member of the Archbishop's Council was quoted as saying, "There have been a lot of calls for him to resign. I don't suppose he will take any notice, but, yes, he should resign."

The statement said that Williams had been trying to "tease out" the complex issue. At a meeting of the Church of England's General Synod yesterday, Williams apologized for the "distress and misunderstanding" his remarks may have caused.

"I must . . . take responsibility for any unclarity. . . and for any misleading choice of words that has helped to cause distress or misunderstanding among the public at large and especially among my fellow Christians," he said. He continued, however, to insist that some aspects of Sharia law would be "helpful". The Telegraph reporter at the General Synod wrote that there is "widespread agreement in the corridors and tea-rooms that the row will have caused him significant long-term damage."

He stands by his assertion that the voluntary use of Sharia courts for marital disputes or financial matters admitted into the British legal system could improve social cohesion, a hot button issue in increasingly divided Britain. In this, the statement said, Williams was not suggesting a "parallel" system of laws, but a "supplementary jurisdiction" or "overlapping jurisdictions" in which "individuals might choose in certain limited areas whether to seek justice under one system or another".

The clarification has failed to appease critics who continue to call forcefully for Williams' resignation at this June's Lambeth conference. In a scathing column in the Daily Mail, Melanie Philips, the author of the book Londonistan that chronicles the rise of Britain as a major centre of Islamic terrorism, called the clarification "disingenuous". She asks if, as Williams' defenders have claimed, he only wanted to defend Britain against secularism, "why then has he chosen not to bolster his own church to fight off secularism but instead resorts to Islam - which would consume both of them?"

Philips adds, "Astoundingly, he does not seem to understand that this country is being targeted by a pincer movement of terrorism and cultural takeover. He does not seem to understand Sharia. And he does not seem to understand the role of his own religion in underpinning British laws, culture and society."

Criticisms from major figures in his own church, however, are strongest. His immediate predecessor, Lord George Carey, said Williams' comments about Islam could prove "disastrous for the nation". Although Carey said Williams had his "full support" and should not be forced to resign, "His conclusion that Britain will eventually have to concede some place in law for aspects of Sharia is a view I cannot share."

"There can be no exceptions to the laws of our land which have been so painfully honed by the struggle for democracy and human rights."

Reverend Paul Dawson of the Reform group of around 500 clergy said, "We are very sad that he does not seem to be able to articulate a clear Christian vision for Britain. It is true to say that there is a lot of dissatisfaction."

But an unsigned editorial in the Daily Telegraph warns that Williams has yet to face what will likely be the strongest backlash from African bishops, already "at odds" with the ultra-liberal European and North American branches of the Church on homosexuality. These are the people who "are facing threats from Islamic law that are a matter of life and death, rather than abstract debate."

Read related LifeSiteNews.com coverage:

Archbishop of Canterbury: Because Britain Tolerates Pro-Life Activists, We Should Accept Sharia Law
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2008/feb/08020709.html

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