Why is rowan williams resigning

So far 17 have rejected it, and 11 approved. It seems likely that five more will reject it in voting ths weekend, which would kill the scheme entirely. It also looks likely that when the church's governing body, the General Synod, meets this summer to make a final decision in favour of women bishops, it will once more reject the archbishop's laboriously assembled compromise which is meant to reassure opponents that they won't be squeezed out of the church.

The bishop of Buckingham, Alan Wilson, summed up the feelings of many of the church's liberals when he said: "Given the insane pace and intensity of the job he has been doing, many will feel his next move is a shrewd and well deserved re-entry to a place where he can really develop his theology free of the institutional constraints that come with his present day job". Wilson defended Williams against the charge that he was too abstruse and academic to understand.

As the nation's holy man, he has articulated questions that matter, touched national life at key occasions, and inspired his colleagues at every turn. He has inspired much love and prayer, along with occasional frustration. Andrew Copson, of the British Humanist Association, said: "On many social justice issues he was, of course, often spot on and used his public platform to express opinions that were widely shared by religious and non-religious people alike.

When you look at the far more evangelical and conservative candidates that look in line to replace him, even a good humanist might be left with the feeling of better the devil you know. The selection of his replacement will take much of the summer and will be made by a committee on which the two largest blocs are the representatives of the diocese of Canterbury and the General Synod.

Two names will go forward to the prime minister but by a convention that has been in place since he is bound to pick the first on the list, unless changing circumstances make that impossible. I would like to see him resign. Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies.

Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today. Already subscribed? Log in. Forgotten your password? Want an ad-free experience? He was tired, and, being a good man and a Christian in evident anguish, he resigned.

I think that he missed the old Rowan Williams, too. More: Anglican Church. The Daily The best of The New Yorker , every day, in your in-box, plus occasional alerts when we publish major stories. Enter your e-mail address.