Abp. of Canterbury Rips Anglican Church's Synod; Bishops Slyly Mocked Bishop of Dover's New Role

The Telegraph (British) website reports that the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr. Rowan Williams, said this week that the Anglican Church's General Synod had "embarrassed" itself by an alleged whispering campaign against the appointment of the Bishop of Dover to a senior internal position.

It represents the latest clash between the Archbishop -- the spiritual head of the more than 80 million worldwide Anglican communion -- and Synod members. Last year, Dr. Williams suffered a major defeat to the Synod over plans that allowed women to be ordained as bishops.

The latest row centered on the appointment of a new chair of the Anglican Church's business committee, who will help set the agendas for future assembly meetings, which usually take place twice a year.

Church authorities proposed that the Bishop of Dover, the Rt. Rev. Trevor Willmott, should be appointed to the post. But the Bishop of Willesden, the Rt. Rev. Pete Broadbent -- who was suspended last year for criticizing the Royal Wedding on Facebook -- argued that Bishop Willmott should not hold that post.