Michael GoldfarbMarch 16, 2012 11:43

Archbishop of Canterbury resigns

Rowan Williams steps down amid controversies over ordination of gay bishops and homosexual marriages.

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More scholar than back-room politician, Rowan Williams, Archbishop of Canterbury, resigned today. He will become Master of Magdalene College, Cambridge (Matthew Lloyd/AFP/Getty Images)

Archbishop Rowan Williams, head of the worldwide Anglican Communion, was the right man at the wrong time. An academic and much-lauded scholar, Williams became Archbishop 10 years ago. His greatest skills are in theological disquisition and as a conciliator.

Unfortunately, the 77 million Anglicans in his ministry are hopelessly divided over the issue of homosexuality. They don't want to be reconciled on the questions of whether gay men should become bishops or if gay marriage is possible within the Church. The issue overshadowed his time as the 104th Archbishop.

Michael GoldfarbOctober 31, 2011 12:37

Europa round-up: Occupy London: more trouble for St. Paul's Cathedral; and Italians chafe against EU demands;

The Dean of St. Paul's resigns as protesters are given 48 hours to shut down their camp outside the cathedral. Italian politician claims EU austerity demands could lead to return of the Red Brigades.

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The Dean of St. Paul's Cathedral, Graham Knowles, contemplating his future yesterday as he visited the Occupy London protest on his Cathedral's steps. Today Knowles resigned his position ov er the intense criticism leveled at the Cathedral for how it has handled the situation. (BEN STANSALL/AFP/Getty Images)

As protesters are given 48 hours to move on, the Dean of St. Paul's Cathedral resigns over Occupy London protest on the cathedral's front steps.

Michael GoldfarbOctober 28, 2011 05:58

Euro crisis deal: questions remain + Occupy London's day of decision

Sarkozy takes credit, while EU envoys head to China to ask for a loan and Occupy London protest boils up

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The Occupy London protest at St. Paul's Cathedral. The Cathedral has been shut to visitors for a week because of the protest. During World War II at the height of the Blitz it was only shut once: for four days. Yesterday, cathedral canon Giles Fraser resigned over the way his colleagues have handled the situation. (Dan Kitwood/AFP/Getty Images)

Nicolas Sarkozy tells his countrymen he saved the world and Greece should never have been allowed to join the euro.