TRIBUTES have been paid to former Bishop of Monmouth, Rowan Williams, who has announced he will be stepping down as Archbishop of Canterbury.

Dr Rowan Williams, who has served in the role for ten years, will step down at the end of December after accepting the post of Master of Magdalene College in Cambridge.

Dr Williams, who became the 104th Archbishop of Canterbury in 2002, was elected as Bishop of Monmouth in 1991 and became Archbishop of Wales in 1999.

Dr Williams, 61, has not fought shy of controversy, expressing opinions of a number of issues from children's welfare to the plight of asylum seekers. He also opposed the 2003 invasion of Iraq.

Dr Williams said: "It has been an immense privilege to serve as Archbishop of Canterbury over the past decade, and moving on has not been an easy decision."

The Archbishop of Wales, Dr Barry Morgan, said: "Dr Rowan Williams has been the most able Archbishop of Canterbury for centuries and perhaps his true worth will only really be appreciated by the Church once he’s gone."

He said: "In Wales, of course, we’ve been particularly proud of him and he’s been a wonderful ambassador for our country."

The Vicar of Abergavenny, Father Mark Soady, said it is teaching and preaching that he will be remembered for and said it was not a surprise that Dr Williams has gone back into academia.

He said the role of Archbishop of Canterbury is an international role and said it must be quite exhausting.

He said ten years is probably long enough for anyone.

Fr Soady said: "I've always found him a gentle spiritual man who people still regard with great respect for his time as Bishop of Monmouth."