LONDON (Reuters) – The Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams, spiritual leader of the Anglican Communion, who has long struggled to prevent a schism over women and gay bishops and same-sex unions, announced on Friday he will step down at the end of the year.

The 80-million-strong worldwide Communion has been threatened with division for several years, with reformists and conservatives failing to bend to his authority or attempts at consensus.

LONDON (Reuters) – Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams, well-liked within the Anglican Communion but often an irritant to the British government, has struggled with the two issues that have dominated the religious agenda: gay bishops and same-sex unions.

After announcing his resignation from a turbulent church, he will probably return to the gentler world of academia a worn man after a decade of wrestling with the near-impossible task of reconciling traditionalists and liberals within the 80-million strong Anglican Communion.

LONDON (Reuters) – The Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams, spiritual leader of the Anglican Communion, who has long struggled to prevent a schism over women and gay bishops and same-sex unions, announced on Friday he will step down at the end of the year.

The 80-million-strong worldwide Communion has been threatened with division for several years, with reformists and conservatives failing to bend to his authority or attempts at consensus.

LONDON (Reuters) – Many sports fans gasped in awe at Beijing’s Olympic stadiums four years ago, wondering how Britain could possibly match those spectacular buildings such as the bird’s nest and water cube.

But the man in charge of construction at London 2012 never had any doubt the city he loves so much could provide its share of iconic venues, even if he did not have the same budget.

LONDON, March 16 (Reuters) – Many sports fans gasped
in awe at Beijing’s Olympic stadiums four years ago, wondering
how Britain could possibly match those spectacular buildings
such as the bird’s nest and water cube.

But the man in charge of construction at London 2012 never
had any doubt the city he loves so much could provide its share
of iconic venues, even if he did not have the same budget.

LONDON (Reuters) – London transport bosses dismissed fears of a strike on the underground train network during this summer’s Olympics saying they were confident a deal could be struck that would avoid chaos for commuters and sports fans.

Transport for London (TfL), which runs most of the city’s transport system, also played down talk of a potential “perfect traffic storm” during the Games.

LONDON (Reuters) – London transport bosses dismissed fears of a strike on the underground train network during this summer’s Olympics saying they were confident a deal could be struck that would avoid chaos for commuters and sports fans.

Transport for London (TfL), which runs most of the city’s transport system, also played down talk of a potential “perfect traffic storm” during the Games.

LONDON (Reuters) – The head of the Roman Catholic Church in England will be the latest church leader to try to ambush the prime minister’s attempt to legalise same-sex marriage when he launches his “no” campaign from the pulpit this weekend.

Archbishop of Westminster Vincent Nichols has written a pastoral letter to be read out during Mass in dozens of churches on Sunday, warning about the dangers of changing the legal definition of marriage.