Archbishop of Canterbury has been 'abducted by aliens' says bishop in battle over gay clergy

The Archbishop of Canterbury has been accused of  being 'abducted by aliens'  over the issue of homosexual clergy.

Controversial American Anglican bishop Gene Robinson condemned Dr Rowan Williams for failing to stop internal rows over the ordination of women and gay priests.

The Bishop of New Hampshire said: 'I pray for him every day. I have clergy friends who literally studied at  Archbishop Williams'  feet and who have said to me it is almost as if aliens have come and taken Rowan away from us. They have left something that looks like him but we don't recognise him any more.'

Bishop Robinson  who is openly gay and whose sexuality caused controversy when he was elected  in 2003, told the Times that Dr Williams is a wonderful human being and a faithful Christian.

But he added:' I'm not at all sure that his attempts to hold us together as a communion at all costs is the kind of leadership that this time calls for.'

 

Bishop Robinson claimed Dr Williams had been tougher on the American church  and demanded a 'higher standard'  than in other parts of the world.

Meanwhile, Dr Williams claimed that many Church of England parishes could beleft without clergy as vicars 'jump ship' to the Catholic Church.

He made the warning after meeting Pope Benedict XVIat the Vatican during an event to celebrate the 50th anniversary of thePontifical Council for Christian Unity.

It comes just days afterit was revealed that five senior CoE bishops were quitting andconverting to Catholicism under a scheme launched by the Pope last year.

Known as the English Ordinariate, it allows for Anglicans unhappy at plans to introduce female bishops to 'switch to Rome' but still maintain aspects of their CoE faith.

In an interview for Vatican Radio, Dr Williams said: 'Obviously my reaction to the resignations is one of regret but respect - I know the considerations they've been through.

The five bishops leaving are the Rt Reverend Andrew Burnham and four junior bishops - Rt Reverends John Broadhurst, Keith Newton, Edwin Barnes and David Silk.

Dr Williams had earlier insisted that women clergy should not be an issue between the two faiths.

SIC: DM/UK