The women-bishops debate says much about the nature of the Church, argues Rowan Williams

No one is likely to underrate the significance of the debate on women bishops in the General Synod next month. It will shape the character of the Church of England for generations - and I’m not talking only about the decision we shall take, but about the way in which we discuss it and deal with the outcome of it.

Thursday 11th October 2012

Following his address to the Synod of Bishops in the Vatican on Wednesday, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, gave a brief interview to Vatican Radio.

In the interview, the transcript of which is below, he speaks about the ordination of women bishops within the Church of England and his hope that "we’ll find something which allows us to go forward honouring everybody within our fellowship" at the Church of England’s General Synod next month.

He also  reflects on some the challenges which he has faced during his time as Archbishop of Canterbury, as well as offering some positive advice to his soon to be announced successor, urging him to "Visit lots of schools and parishes. Make sure that you’re there constantly, faithfully, regularly, with people who are doing what matters."
"For all the difficulties that beset many parishes, I can’t think of any parish I’ve visited, in 20 years as a bishop, that hasn’t in some way made me go away feeling ‘It’s all worthwhile.’”

Ruth Gledhill, The Times, 11th October 2012

The Archbishop of Canterbury has condemned the “self-oriented, acquisitive habits” of the modern world and the “distorted understanding” they give rise to.

Describing the worlds of finance and advertising as “unreal and insane” Dr Rowan Williams advocated the contemplative life as the only answer.

Even children, he said, could benefit from the practice, which he said he has witnessed for himself in Anglican schools.

Kate Connolly, The Guardian, 5th October 2012

Hans Küng urges confrontation from the grassroots to unseat pope and force radical reform at Vatican

One of the world's most prominent Catholic theologians has called for a revolution from below to unseat the pope and force radical reform at the Vatican.

Hans Küng is appealing to priests and churchgoers to confront the Catholic hierarchy, which he says is corrupt, lacking credibility and apathetic to the real concerns of the church's members.

In an exclusive interview with the Guardian, Küng, who had close contact with the pope when the two worked together as young theologians, described the church as an "authoritarian system" with parallels to Germany's Nazi dictatorship.