However, in an interview with The Church of England Newspaper in April 2008, Dr Williams backed away from his conclusive views on the morality of homosexual conduct, while statements last week at the Lambeth Conference about \u201cwrong\u201d\u009d sexual conduct, have further muddied the waters.<\/p>\n
In a 1989 essay The Body\u2019s Grace, Dr Williams wrote that \u201cthe absolute condemnation of same-sex relations of intimacy must rely either on an abstract fundamentalist deployment of a number of very ambiguous biblical texts or on a problematical and non-scriptural theory about natural complementarity, applied narrowly and crudely to physical differentiation.\u201d\u009d<\/p>\n
Asked in April by CEN whether he still held to this view, Dr Williams replied, \u201cWhat I said about the ambiguity of the scriptural texts would need a lot of qualification. \u201cWhat we have to say theologically about the nature of sexual identity is still to me unfinished business,\u201d\u009d Dr Williams stated.<\/p>\n
Asked during a July 21 press conference what he believed would constitute \u201cwrong\u201d\u009d sexual behaviour, Dr Williams responded in language that appeared to affirm the moral validity of public same-sex unions or partnerships. What would be \u201cwrong\u201d\u009d would be \u201cany relationship which is outside a covenant, public covenant of mutual support, love in the presence of God.\u201d\u009d Dr Williams added: \u201cI don\u2019t believe that sex outside marriage is as God purposes it.\u201d\u009d<\/p>\n