Calls for Anglican archbishop to resign

LONDON, Feb. 9 (UPI) -- Anglican church members and leaders say the Archbishop of Canterbury has damaged his authority by calling for parts of Islamic law to be used in Britain.

"He has done the Anglican Communion and the Church of England no favors. He should go," said Alison Ruoff, a member of the Bishop of London's diocesan council.

Archbishop Rowan Williams' call Friday for Islam's Sharia law to be introduced in Britain has sparked massive criticism from those who see it as an appeasement of Islamism, The Times of London reported Saturday.

Williams, the clerical leader of the Church of England, which oversees the Anglican Communion worldwide, did little to mute the backlash when he claimed late Friday he was not calling for a parallel jurisdiction of Sharia for Muslims, the Times reported.

Queen Elizabeth I, as head of the Church of the England, declined comment while Prince Charles privately said he fears Williams' comments being taken out of context and used to foster hatred against Muslims in Britain, the report said.

In his comments, Williams suggested introducing Sharia law for matters involving marital and financial disputes among Muslims in Britain.