THE SUNDAY TELEGRAPH: Tucked behind Westminster Cathedral on a quiet back street, Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor's home is only a short walk from Lambeth Palace, the Archbishop of Canterbury's official residence which sits on the south-bank of the Thames.
On the issues of sharia law and multiculturalism, however, Britain's two most senior Christian leaders appear to be worlds apart.
Dr Rowan Williams, head of the Anglican Church, caused uproar last week with his suggestion that the incorporation of aspects of sharia into UK law might be "unavoidable", and could aid social cohesion. Cardinal Murphy-O'Connor, leader of the 4.5? million Catholics in England and Wales, begs to differ. He is adamant that such a move would only make segregation even more entrenched.
"I don't believe in a multicultural society," he says firmly. "When people come into this country they have to obey the laws of the land."
He has a mellifluous voice and an affable manner, but the cardinal becomes steely when discussing the problems facing British society, and the issue of sharia law.
"There are going to be certain things which might clash in the overall culture of the country. That's where one has to make a judgement," he says, then pauses before continuing, aware of the sensitivity of the issue. "There are aspects of sharia that are practised that we certainly wouldn't want in this country. The laws of this country don't allow forced marriages or polygamy.
"It seems to me a government and a country has a right to make sure that those laws are kept." People here ‘must obey the laws of the land’ >>>
THE TELEGRAPH:
Are we promoting harmony or Muslim ghettos? By Lord Carey
THE MAIL ON SUNDAY:
SHARIA: Now Archbishop is forced to explain himself to General Synod By Daniel Boffey and Polly Dunbar
TIMESONLINE:
Archbishop, you've committed treason
Mark Alexander (Paperback)
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