As the Church of England prepared on Saturday to discuss the thorny topic of women bishops, the Archbishop of York called for an end to "spin and propaganda" targeted at the Archbishop of Canterbury.
Dr John Sentamu told the church's general synod there has been a "general disregard for the truth" in recent criticism of Dr Rowan Williams.
Sentamu's comments come after a selection committee including Williams this week blocked a bid by an openly gay cleric to become a Church of England bishop, amid fears the controversial ordination could have further strained the Anglican movement.
"It deeply saddens me that there is not only a general disregard for the truth, but a rapacious appetite for 'carelessness' compounded by spin, propaganda and the resort to misleading opinions paraded as fact, regarding a remarkable, gifted and much-maligned Christian leader I call a dear friend and trusted colleague - one Rowan Williams," Sentamu said.
Jeffrey John had been tipped to become Bishop of Southwark, in London, after making the shortlist with strong support from the local diocese, according to reports.
John, currently the Dean of St Albans, is openly gay and entered a civil partnership in 2006, but lives a celibate life.
John's rejection came against the backdrop of Williams struggling to hold together the worldwide Anglican communion, amid tensions over the ordination of gay and female bishops.
The archbishop has spoken out against the ordination of gay bishops in the US, fearing the strains it could place on the Anglican movement.
The issue of female bishops has also been a great source of tension in the Church of England, with splits emerging over the issue at the church's national assembly in February.
Sentamu and Williams are hoping to persuade the synod to back a proposed compromise on plans for the appointment of women bishops.
Copyright 2010 AFP European Edition
