The Guardian: Archbishop tears up script to face critics

The Archbishop of Canterbury is expected today to improvise a speech to the Church of England's 550-strong national assembly so he can directly address the furore sparked by his comments on sharia law.

Rowan Williams has torn up his original speech, choosing instead to respond to the criticism he has faced since raising the questions of the possible adoption of some aspects of Islamic law in Britain. Originally he was expected to speak about the political turmoil in Zimbabwe and the ordeal of Christians living under Robert Mugabe's regime. But officials advised last night that the intense media interest prompted by his speech last week should now be challenged head-on.

Last night Williams was still working on the revised speech. Lambeth officials suggested he was prepared to improvise the 30-minute address to mark the opening of general synod, a biannual gathering of bishops, clergy and laity, "with notes" to clarify his position.

Despite the welter of political criticism, church commentators yesterday expected the archbishop to receive a positive reception at Church House, Westminster, with one predicting a "standing ovation" to reflect the anger some feel over the way he has been vilified.

Another member of general synod said it would take an "immense amount of personal courage" for the archbishop to enter the room and lead the assembly in prayer. Christina Rees said: "I am angry and frustrated at the way he has been treated. He has been vilified. Nobody is responding to what he said at the lecture, which was highly nuanced and complex, and delivered to a sophisticated audience."

The atmosphere would be tense, heightened and anxious, she predicted. "Everything depends on what he says and how he welcomes us. There is no way but up."

She was also disappointed that Williams's advisers had not done more to protect him and manage the backlash. "They are on salary to help him and I'm very cross because they've let him down." Read more
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