Claims that an early favourite to become the next Archbishop of Canterbury has been the victim of "naked racism" have been played down by the Church of England.

The Archbishop of Wales has publicly called on Anglicans to support gay civil marriages arguing that the church’s record on equality has made homosexual men and women often feel “unwanted, unloved and sinful”.

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Outgoing Archbishop of Canterbury and Catholic leaders take on highly charged political subjects

Young people's hostility towards faith is not as extreme as society perceives with many taking the issue of religion seriously, the Archbishop of Canterbury will say in his Easter sermon.

The Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, oversaw a series of outdoor baptisms on the steps of York Minster for Easter Saturday.

This Easter, all Anglican eyes will be on the outspoken Archbishop of York in a year when he could reach the pinnacle of his denomination

Sub-titles are usually where publishers try to hype up a book, or give its subject a headline-making spin. So Viking should be congratulated for their Ronseal-like directness – "what it says on the tin" – in tagging John Guy's biography of Thomas Becket as "a story retold". For the tale of the 12th-century Archbishop of Canterbury and the king who appointed him, but came to rue the day and saw him murdered in his cathedral, is even on the primary-school curriculum.

History may well judge Dr Williams more kindly than either his country or some of his fellow clerics

With Rowan Williams set to step down as Archbishop of Canterbury after ten years in the job, attention is already turning to who might replace him as head of the 77 million-strong Anglican Communion – with Dr John Sentamu, the Archbishop of York the early favourite.

John Sentamu says C of E rules define marriage as all churches declare opinions in the debate

David Cameron's call for the introduction of same-sex marriage is out of step with Tory voters, according to a new poll.

Secularists hit back yesterday at the Roman Catholic church's drive against plans to legalise gay marriage, following the publication of a letter from the Archbishop of Westminster calling on Catholics to oppose same-sex weddings.