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 be
left without clergy as vicars 'jump ship' to the Catholic Church.
He made the warning after meeting Pope Benedict XVI
at the Vatican during an event to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the
Pontifical Council for Christian Unity.
It comes just days after
it was revealed that five senior CoE bishops were quitting and
converting 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