The leader of the 77 million-strong Anglican Communion will step down in December to take up a job next year as Master of Magdalene College, Cambridge.
His departure follows rows over gay and female bishops, which have led to resignations and threats of schism.
Announcing his resignation Friday, Williams said: “It has been an immense privilege to serve as Archbishop of Canterbury over the past decade, and moving on has not been an easy decision. During the time remaining there is much to do, and I ask your prayers and support in this period and beyond.”
Williams, 61, took over at Lambeth Palace in 2002 and has attracted controversy ever since with pronouncements on subjects ranging from sharia law, saying its use was unavoidable in some circumstances.
Williams opposed the 2003 invasion of Iraq and warned recently that the government was pushing through radical change for which no one had voted.
His biggest challenges, however, have been over women bishops and homosexuality as he sought to hold the worldwide Anglican Communion together amid a bruising war between liberals and traditionalists.
MOL/JR/HE
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