Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Carey blames successor for 'strife' dividing Anglicans

Francis Elliott
Saturday 10 June 2006 19:12 EDT
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Weeks after being urged to refrain from criticising Dr Rowan Williams, the former leader of the Church of the England has mounted a frontal assault on liberals he blames for dividing Anglicans. In a speech in the US reported by The Sunday Telegraph Lord Carey attacks those like Dr Williams who believe gay clergy should be accepted into the Church.

"[The Bible] is unequivocal in its condemnation of practising homosexuality. It cannot be dismissed as having no consequence today," he told the Virginia Theological Seminary. The endorsement by Dr Will-iams of civil partnerships was "a serious and extraordinary departure from the Church's practice".

In the clearest attack yet on his successor, Lord Carey said the Anglican communion has fallen apart since he retired four years ago.

"When I left office at the end of 2002 I felt the Anglican communion was in good heart. It is difficult to say in what way we are now a communion. Bitterness, hostility and strife now separate provinces from one another and divide individual provinces."

The speech follows an open letter sent to Lord Carey last month asking him to stop commenting on sensitive issues.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in