Archbishop balks at war on thanksgiving

Catholic New Times, June 1, 2003

LONDON -- According to the Daily Telegraph, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, has expressed unwillingness to conduct a thanksgiving service for the end of the war in Iraq, fearing it might appear to bless the conflict.

Dr. Williams has told friends he is reluctant to take part in a national service which might appear triumphalist, but has told 10 Downing Street he would like to preach at a memorial service.

There have been thanksgiving services after major wars during the last century which have also remembered the dead.

Friends of Dr. Williams, who took an anti-war stance in the run-up to the war, said he would feel awkward taking part in a service which might go against his beliefs.