John+,

Again, I won't defend all of +Williams' beliefs, but I believe you do him an 
injustice.  I think it quite honorable for him to separate his person from 
his office (something rarely done these days) rather than try to force his 
opinions on the wider church.  I think it even more honorable that he should 
do this without ever saying, "Well what I really believe is...."  In this 
regard, I think his actions are very much of God.

Secondly, even though I do disagree with +Williams on some issues (such as 
women's ordination) I believe absolutely that he has reached his conviction 
through prayer, study, and an honest wrestling with discerning God's will. 
That process, to which all of his writings bear testimony, is again good and 
of God.  We may disagree with his conclusions (and God help us if we are 
judged on the rightness of every one of our theological conclusions) but we 
ought to accept and respect his honesty and prayerfulness.  I'll even go so 
far as to say that someone like +Williams who reaches wrong theological 
conclusions after much prayer, study, and discernment is much healthier than 
some who holds correct theological positions simply from a gut feeling.  Too 
often, theologically, we give way to a sort of ends justify the means 
mindset.

I've also found that reading +Williams (when he's not entirely opaque) has 
led me to some very profound theological and spiritual insights.  Had I not 
read his works and considered his thoughts I would be the poorer.  That, 
again is good and of God.

As to +Williams election.  I certainly won't defend the present system of 
episcopal appointments in England (though I will note that the PM picks from 
2 possibilities elected by the Church of England's Crowns Commission), but I 
won't hold it against +Williams either.  To do so, would be to cast too many 
heroes, from +Cranmer to +Ramsey, in a similar light!

Now, whether +Williams is a giant or not, and whether Rome does a good job 
of raising giants or not...time will only tell.  In the meantime, I shall 
continue to hold both +Williams and the Pope in my prayers.  Lately, I've 
been reading some of the Cistercian Fathers (such as Aelred of Rievaulx, 
Bernard of Clairvaux, and Walter Hilton).  They've reminded me, in a time 
when I need such a reminder, that even with heretics and pharisees the only 
good response both in words and deeds is unreserved love.  So, though only 
from a distance and in prayer, I shall love both men and leave everything 
else to God.

Mark+