Archbishop appointed over Anglican Church

LONDON — On July 23, British Prime Minister Tony Blair announced that Rowan Williams, Archbishop of Wales, has been appointed as the new Archbishop of Canterbury, making Williams the spiritual leader of nearly 70 million Anglican church members worldwide. Williams succeeds Archbishop George L. Carey, who is retiring from the post in October. Williams is the first Archbishop of Canterbury selected outside the Church of England since the Reformation.

Williams has spoken out against the United States’ war on terrorism in Afghanistan and any plans to invade Iraq. He ordained a practicing homosexual into the Anglican priesthood. Wiiliams has been described, alternately, as theologically conservative and liberal. He is reportedly pro-life and a member of the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children. He has been outspoken against the entertainment industry for tainting children with images of violence and materialism and exposing them to illicit sex.