Apparently, he's orf - although sources will 'neither confirm nor deny the rumours' that Rowan Williams will step down next year after the Queen's Diamond Jubilee and after seeing through new rules to allow women to become bishops.
Whilst I personally don't think that he is any great loss, there is a lot to be said for an Archbishop who doesn't rock the boat too much and as far as I can see, Williams has fulfilled that function very well.
Although he is not due to retire for another ten years, Trinity College Cambridge - where he studied theology and was a chaplain - are reported to be creating a lucrative professorship for him. Given the choice of the two roles, I know which one I would go for.
After presiding over reportedly one of the most turbulent periods in the Church's history, the archbishop has told friends he would like to give his successor adequate time to prepare for the next Lambeth Conference – the summit of Anglican bishops held once every decade.
He is even said to have considered quitting following the last conference in 2008, which was mired by boycotts, rows over homosexual clergy and challenges to the Archbishop of Canterbury's authority.
Although I have no particular liking for the man, I wish him well and I wonder exactly what sort of person will replace him? The jostling and posturing is already starting. There is speculation that the Archbishop of York, John Sentamu, will succeed him - at least in a caretaker role.
The first black Archbishop of Canterbury - how wonderfully politically correct...
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