Archbishop of Canterbury Dr Rowan Williams has announced he is to stand down in December.

He will take the position of Master of Magdalene College at the University of Cambridge from January next year, his website says.

Dr Williams, 61, was appointed the 104th Archbishop of Canterbury in 2002.

In a statement on his website, the head of the 85 million-strong Anglican Communion said serving as archbishop had been “an immense privilege”.

He said stepping down had not been an easy decision.

He added that during the time he had left there was “much to do” and thanked those in the Church of England and the wider Anglican Communion who had “brought vision, hope and excitement” during his ministry.

In a more in-depth interview, Dr Williams reflected on growing divisions within the Anglican Church, and said it seemed some conflicts would not go away “however long you struggle with them”.

Read more: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-17399403