Archbishop Of Canterbury

The archbishop of Canterbury on Monday defended himself against a firestorm of recent criticism, telling fellow Anglicans his statement last week that Britain would have to accept some limited form of Islamic law had been misunderstood. Speaking to a gathering of elected representatives from the Church of England, Archbishop Rowan Williams said he took full responsibility "for any unclarity . . . and for any misleading choice of words that has helped cause distress or misunderstanding."

A powerful Anglican leader from Nigeria installed a bishop to lead the network of conservative U.S. parishes he created, despite a last-minute plea from the archbishop of Canterbury that the Nigerian cancel his visit. Archbishop Peter Akinola of Nigeria was already in the United States when Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams' spokesman revealed that Williams had tried to intercede. The installation ceremony at a nondenominational chapel in Woodbridge, Va.

Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams suggested Monday that the Episcopal Church might have to accept a different role within the worldwide Anglican Communion amid U.S. leaders' decision to lift a de facto ban on gay bishops and to consider rites of blessing for same-sex unions. Williams outlined his concerns in a statement to leaders throughout the communion, saying "very serious anxieties have already been expressed" among the 77 million Anglicans. The Episcopal Church, the U.S.