His duties are being carried out by Auxiliary Bishop Tom Williams and retired Auxiliary Bishop Vincent Malone.

BBC: Archbishop Patrick Kelly to miss Midnight Mass

The Right Reverend Thomas Williams, Auxiliary Bishop of Liverpool, will carry out his duties until that time.

BBC: Archbishop Patrick Kelly's resignation accepted

Dr Williams will be succeeded by the Bishop of Durham, the Right Reverend Justin Welby - who has said the ordination of women bishops will go ahead.

BBC: Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams

He took up the post of Bishop of Durham in November 2011 and worked as Dr Williams' special envoy to Africa, attempting to build unity between Christian and Muslim communities in Nigeria.

BBC: Justin Welby named as next Archbishop of Canterbury

Williams sent Lee's counterintelligence tip back home to Bishop and musing about suspects.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: Center For Security Policy

The Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Reverend Rowan Williams, his soon-to-be successor the Bishop of Durham, the Right Reverend Justin Welby, and the Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu will be tweeting.

BBC: Twitter Christmas sermons for Anglican bishops