Bishop of Guildford pays tribute to Archbishop

The Bishop of Guildford has paid tribute to Archbishop Rowan Williams, who today announced his acceptance of the position of Master of Magdalene College, Cambridge with effect from January 2013.

'Personal loss'

"I feel a real sense of personal loss, both In terms of the leadership of the Church of England and of the Anglican Communion," said Bishop Christopher.
But I recognise that putting forward the truths of the Christian faith to a society, which is both secular and also searching, will be more than well served by Archbishop Rowan's future ministry. The Church of England will miss him more than it now knows"

"Archbishop Rowan's ministry has been highly significant and the many issues he has faced deeply challenging," added a spokesman for the Diocese of Guildford.
"As a leader with an extraordinary breadth of understanding, he has carried the Church of England through difficult times. He has faced storms calmly and demonstrated Christian holiness in the face of serious adversity and against an often hostile media, his personal presence always conveying calm and warmth.
"We, as a Diocese, commend the quality and depth of his theological teaching and we believe that the Church is stronger for his prayerful, incisive ministry."

'An immense privilege'

Speaking following the announcement, Dr Williams, who was appointed the one hundred and fourth Archbishop of Canterbury in 2002, said today:
“It has been an immense privilege to serve as Archbishop of Canterbury over the past decade, and moving on has not been an easy decision."

During the time remaining there is much to do, and I ask your prayers and support in this period and beyond. I am abidingly grateful to all those friends and colleagues who have so generously supported Jane and myself in these years, and all the many diverse parishes and communities in the Church of England and the wider Anglican Communion that have brought vision, hope and excitement to my own ministry. I look forward, with that same support and inspiration, to continuing to serve the Church’s mission and witness as best I can in the years ahead.“

Dr Williams will continue to carry out all the duties and responsibilities of the Archbishop of Canterbury, both for the Church of England and the Anglican Communion, until the end of the year.

The Crown Nominations Commission will consider in due course the selection of a successor.