THE GUARDIAN: The Archbishop of Canterbury has hit back over criticism of his comments on sharia law, amid growing calls for his resignation.
Dr Rowan Williams made no proposals for sharia, and "certainly did not call for its introduction as some kind of parallel jurisdiction to the civil law", a statement on his website said.
He was "exploring ways in which reasonable accommodation might be made within existing arrangements for religious conscience" and his core aim was "to tease out some of the broader issues around the rights of religious groups within a secular state".
However, at least two Synod members have already called for the Archbishop to go and he has faced criticism from leading bishops, secular groups and Government figures.
Colonel Edward Armitstead, a Synod member from the diocese of Bath and Wells, told the Daily Telegraph: "I don't think he is the man for the job. One wants to be charitable, but I sense that he would be far happier in a university where he can kick around these sorts of ideas."
Brigadier William Dobbie, a former member, described him as "a disaster, a tragic mistake".
The Archbishop was said to be overwhelmed by the hostility of the response to his comments, but some have leapt to his defence. The Bishop of Hulme, the Rt Rev Stephen Lowe, said he was appalled at the "knee-jerk" reaction to a serious piece of academic work. Pressure mounts in sharia law row >>>
BBC:
Williams shocked at sharia row
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Muslim Reaction to Shariah Row
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