"In a polarised and deeply divided church it's particularly important, I think, not to be someone pursuing an agenda that isn't the agenda of the whole," said Williams. "I suppose what I'm saying is if the church moves on this, it must be because the church moves, not because, rather like getting rid of Clause 4, a figure of leadership says, 'Right -- this is where we go.'"

"I think the situation in Central Africa is dismal and deeply problematic," said Williams in reference to the conservative Archbishops Bernard Malango of Central Africa and Peter Akinola of Nigeria, who have threatened schism over the ordination of gay bishops. "I wish I knew how to resolve it."

Commenting on the interview, GALHA's secretary George Broadhead said, "It is now clear that whatever Rowan Williams thinks personally about homosexuality, he is refusing to come to the defence of gay people who are under vicious attack from extremists in the Anglican Communion and from religionists everywhere."

"When asked in the interview about the extreme homophobic views of Rev Peter Akinola of Nigeria, the Archbishop refused to condemn him or to take the side of those innocent gay people who this terrible bigot is persecuting," said Broadhead.

"Dr Williams is not being diplomatic, he is being spineless. He is more concerned that the Anglican Communion survives than he is with the injustices being done to gay people by members of his own religion," said Broadhead.

END