Mixed news. we knew that Rowan was about to leave Lambeth and for Cambridge but not when. Now we know he starts next year as President of Magdalen following Eamon Duffy, esteemed historian of the reformation. Rowan could not stay any longer without risking his mental health surely? His attempt to keep the Anglican Church together was over ambitious and allowed some to think they actually run the church with their opinions which are borderline hate crimes in my opinion. I just wish he had been able to put aside his idea of communio and manage to speak truth to power. In a small way he made me think of Pius 12 during the second world war when he thought he could save the German church by not condemning the massacre of the Jews. Perhaps not a good example but a pointer.
I still think Rowan one of the greats of contemporary thinking not just religious either. Learned, witty, eyebrowed, a good man. He deserves the mastership of a Cambridge college. I last saw him at Kings Place the Guardian HQ by St Pancras. He was in discussion with the economics editor, a sociology of work and Susie Orbach. Rowan just swept all before him with his scholarship but more so with his wit and good humour.
This is further encouragement to persevere with the Brothers Karamozov before reading Rowan's book on the subject.
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