By Alex Kirby BBC News Online correspondent

The archbishop of Canterbury, spiritual leader of the Church of England, is normally seen as a pillar of the British Establishment.

The man who occupies the post, whatever his other qualities, is expected to enshrine tradition.

This time, the Church may find itself being led by a non-white archbishop.

If so, it will indicate how far society has changed, with even the Church trying to keep pace.

One of the leading candidates is Michael Nazir-Ali, Bishop of Rochester in southern England.

Dr George Carey stands down in October

He was born in Pakistan, and has maintained close links with his homeland.

When he was made a bishop in Pakistan, he was the youngest Anglican bishop in the world.

He was the only UK bishop in a 1997 poll to be able to name all five Spice Girls.

Dr Nazir-Ali was the first non-white senior bishop in the Church of England on his appointment, though there was already an able Caribbean-born assistant bishop, Wilfred Wood, in south London.

Part of Michael Nazir-Ali's appeal in today's climate lies in his extensive knowledge of Islam.

Conservative stances

That would stand him in good stead both within the UK and in the archbishop's overseas work as head of the worldwide Anglican communion.

At 52 he is young enough to be able to serve for some years if he is selected. He is on the Church's evangelical wing, conservative on social issues, and opposed to the ordination of gay and lesbian clergy.

Dr Nazir-Ali was criticised for suggesting that couples should not enter into marriage unless they intended to have children.

His moral stance will appeal to many traditionalists in the Church, and probably most will go along with his acceptance of women priests.

As a theologian he is described as "able" - he is a member of the Human Fertility and Embryology Authority.

'Whispering campaign'

Michael Nazir-Ali has claimed to be the victim of a whispering campaign which allegedly included racist slurs.

He is a former practising Catholic, though it is hard to see why that should count against him among Anglicans.

The Church of England has conducted a confidential investigation into his background, without finding anything to cause it concern.

His background and learning may swing the decision in his favour - a Pakistan-born archbishop would be a powerful symbol.