Archbishop warns against 'quarrels'

Dr George Carey bows out at the end of the month

Dr George Carey has given his last sermon before stepping down as Archbishop of Canterbury.

Before the service at a church in Dagenham, east London, Dr Carey warned against the danger of "internal quarrels" preventing the church communicating with society.

Speaking to BBC One's Breakfast with Frost programme, the outgoing archbishop admitted the Church faced more competition for people's time because of the "deregulation of the Sabbath".

Prince Charles has clearly said he has no intention to marry, and we take him at his word

Dr George Carey

Dr Carey dismissed suggestions there was a problem because successor Dr Rowan Williams was seen as more liberal than he was.

"When people try to insinuate that he's somehow in a different part of the church I would say no.

"We will be praying for Rowan, the church will remain united, committed to the big picture, looking out into our society, not letting our internal quarrels get in the way."

Dr Carey, 67, also said the issue of heirs to the throne being able to marry a Catholic was one "that has to be discussed as part of my view about an evolving establishment.

"Things are ever-changing and who knows what the future will hold," he said.

Demanding work

But on the prospect of the Prince of Wales marrying Camilla Parker-Bowles, he said "we must wait and see what happens".

"Prince Charles has clearly said he has no intention to marry, and we take him at his word. I am in regular contact with him and this matter hasn't come up."

He wished Dr Williams luck in his new role, telling him to "enjoy the job", saying it was "very demanding work with many opportunities to make a difference".

Dr Rowan Williams opposes action against Iraq

"He will come with many excellent gifts. He is a very profound theologian," he said of his successor.

The Archbishop reiterated his opposition to war on Iraq.

Dr Carey maintained he was not convinced by the government's argument that military action against Iraqi President Saddam Hussein was justified.

He said "all diplomatic and political means" must be pursued in an attempt to prevent a conflict.

Dr Carey has previously said an attack on Iraq would deepen the crisis of terrorism in the world.

He told Sir David Frost: "The dossier [on Iraqi weapons programmes] that we saw in the House of Commons, I don't think gives grounds, convincing grounds, to launch a ground warfare against Iraq."

Dr Williams has also condemned taking military action, saying any attack on Iraq would be "immoral".