The End of the Road for Rowan?

I was delighted when Dr Rowan Williams was appointed Archbishop of Canterbury. A learned theologian with progressive views, he seemed the ideal choice to inject some strong leadership and common sense into the squabbling Church of England.

Today, his comments on Sharia law question whether he is fit to hold his post. Far from being a progressive voice uniting the Church, he appears to be, to put it bluntly, tearing it further apart, not just internally, but from the State too.

First, in the eyes of many of his flock he behaves treacherously over the planned appointment of Geoffrey John as Bishop of Reading. In refusing to stand by him, despite earlier comments in favour of gay clergy, he lay himself open to allegations of hypocrisy. Then he suggested the C of E may have to “think again” on the ordination of women.

Now, he has effectively condoned the ill-treatment of gay people, women and by default members of the Jewish community, by giving credence to the idea that the practice of Sharia law is acceptable in British society; Sharia law, a system undeniably at odds with British equality laws. His comments, that “it could help social cohesion,” and that we must "face up to the fact" that some citizens do not relate to the British legal system, make him appear little short of certifiable.

There have always been people who have not accepted the British legal system. Such people are called criminals. Why should criminals with a faith position be treated any less leniently? And social cohesion? With one law for one community group and another law for another?

A man holding views as extreme and disloyal as this cannot, surely, remain at the head of a British state institution? Maybe it is time for him to go.