GRAPEVINE

By DAVID ELLIS

The new Archbishop of Canterbury apparently has a tin ear for diplomatic language. The Rev. George Carey, who will be formally installed this Friday, told an interviewer, "The idea that only a male can represent Christ on the altar is a most serious heresy." The comment prompted protests from Anglican traditionalists, who vehemently oppose the ordination of women. Carey apologized, but the furor had barely subsided when he declared that his enthronement would feature a brief selection of songs accompanied by bass guitar, synthesizer and saxophone. The notion of the ancient ceremony being interrupted by 20th century sounds has scandalized the church's right wing. Huffs Donald Webster, a Fellow of the Royal College of Organists and one of Britain's leading hymnologists: "When you have popular music in the service, it lowers the tone."

With reporting by Sidney Urquhart