- In full:
- Rowan Douglas Williams, Baron Williams of Oystermouth in the City and County of Swansea
- Born:
- June 14, 1950, Swansea, Wales (age 76)
Rowan Williams
-
Who is Rowan Williams?
Rowan Williams, born in Swansea, Wales, on June 14, 1950, is a distinguished theologian. He served as the 104th archbishop of Canterbury (2002–12) and archbishop of the Church in Wales (2000–02). Notably, he was the first archbishop of Canterbury in modern times chosen from outside the Church of England.
Throughout his career, Williams held various academic and ecclesiastical positions, including a professorship of divinity at Oxford. His nomination as archbishop of Canterbury sparked controversy due to his liberal views on homosexuality and other issues. As archbishop, Williams faced challenges in interfaith relations and internal discipline, striving to improve relations between Christians and Muslims and maintaining ties with the Roman Catholic Church.
2 Britannica SourcesCreated from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles. -
What is the role of the Archbishop of Canterbury?
The archbishop of Canterbury holds a prominent position in the Church of England and the Anglican Communion. He is the primate of all England and the archbishop of the ecclesiastical province of Canterbury.
As the senior bishop, the archbishop is considered the "first among equals" within the Anglican Communion. He hosts and chairs the Lambeth Conference, a meeting that occurs every ten years for bishops of the Anglican Communion.
Rowan Williams served as the 104th archbishop of Canterbury (2002–12).
2 Britannica SourcesCreated from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles. -
When did Rowan Williams serve as Archbishop of Canterbury?
Rowan Williams, a noted theologian, served as the 104th Archbishop of Canterbury from 2002 to 2012. He was also the Archbishop of the Church in Wales from 2000 to 2002 and the first Archbishop of Canterbury in modern times chosen from outside the Church of England. He stepped down as Archbishop of Canterbury in December 2012 and became master of Magdalene College, Cambridge, in January 2013.
2 Britannica SourcesCreated from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles. -
What are some important things Rowan Williams did during his time as Archbishop?
During his time as the 104th Archbishop of Canterbury (2002–2012), Rowan Williams faced numerous challenges concerning interfaith relations and internal discipline within the Church of England.
Williams worked to improve relations between Christians and Muslims and maintained good ties with the Roman Catholic Church, meeting with Pope John Paul II and later with Pope Benedict XVI.
A controversial issue during his tenure was the ordination of homosexual individuals, which threatened to divide the Anglican Communion. Williams appointed a special commission to address the matter. In 2008, he suggested adopting aspects of Islamic law to promote social cohesion, sparking debate. He officiated the royal wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton in 2011 and stepped down as archbishop in December 2012.
2 Britannica SourcesCreated from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles. -
How did Rowan Williams influence the Church of England?
Rowan Williams, as the 104th Archbishop of Canterbury (2002–12), faced challenges concerning interfaith relations and internal discipline within the Church of England.
He worked to improve Christian-Muslim relations and maintain ties with the Roman Catholic Church. However, the ordination of openly homosexual individuals became a controversial issue that threatened to divide the Anglican Communion. Williams appointed a commission in 2003 to address the matter, but the issue continued to trouble the church. In 2008, further controversy arose when Williams suggested incorporating aspects of Islamic law into the English legal system to promote social cohesion.
2 Britannica SourcesCreated from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles. -
What has Rowan Williams done after his time as Archbishop of Canterbury?
After stepping down as archbishop of Canterbury in December 2012, Rowan Williams was made a life peer and in January 2013, became master of Magdalene College, Cambridge, and joined the House of Lords as a crossbench member. He stepped down from both posts in 2020.
Williams has also published numerous books, including On Augustine (2016) and The Way of St. Benedict (2020).
1 Britannica SourceCreated from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
Rowan Williams (born June 14, 1950, Swansea, Wales) is a noted theologian, was the 104th archbishop of Canterbury (2002–12), archbishop of the Church in Wales (2000–02), and the first archbishop of Canterbury in modern times chosen from outside the Church of England.
Williams was born into a Welsh-speaking family. After attending the Dyvenor Secondary School, he entered Christ’s College, Cambridge, where he earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in theology; he was awarded a doctorate of philosophy in theology by Wadham College, Oxford, in 1975. After teaching at the College of the Resurrection, Mirfield, he held a series of academic and ecclesiastical appointments, culminating in his professorship of divinity at Oxford (1986–92). He became bishop of Monmouth in 1992 and was enthroned as archbishop of Wales in 2000. His nomination as archbishop of Canterbury in 2002 generated significant controversy because of his liberal views on homosexuality and other matters, though he was supported by stalwarts of the church such as the Rev. Desmond Tutu. Williams opposed the Afghanistan War in 2001 and harshly criticized the Iraq War in 2003.
Upon assuming office, Williams faced numerous challenges concerning interfaith relations and internal discipline. He made efforts to improve relations between Christians and Muslims, and he strove to maintain good ties with the Roman Catholic Church, meeting early in his reign with Pope John Paul II in Rome. Although warmly welcomed by the pope, Williams was cautioned by Rome over the consecration of homosexuals as bishops (Williams himself once ordained an openly gay man). Despite differences, Rome and Canterbury continued to work toward better relations. Williams attended John Paul’s funeral in 2005—the first archbishop of Canterbury since the 16th century to do so—and he also attended the installation of Pope Benedict XVI. He visited Benedict at the Vatican in 2006, and they issued a declaration of friendship and continued dialogue while recognizing important differences between the two churches.
Within the Church of England the ordination and consecration of openly homosexual individuals remained a controversial issue that threatened to divide the Anglican Communion (the worldwide association of Anglican churches). In 2003 Williams appointed a special commission to address the matter. The commission also explored how Williams could more effectively implement his moral authority over the communion of churches. The issue, however, continued to trouble the church and its archbishop in the following years, as the Episcopal church in America ordained homosexuals, including an openly gay man as bishop, while the Anglican church in Africa staunchly opposed the practice.
In 2008 Williams faced further controversy when he suggested that the English legal system should adopt parts of Sharīʿah, or Islamic law, as a means to promote social cohesion. He argued that Muslims in England might feel more comfortable addressing financial or marital issues in a Sharīʿah court than in a secular court. Although Williams found support among members of the church hierarchy who recognized his right to raise the matter even if they disagreed with his opinion, others interpreted his remarks as undermining the long tradition of English secular law.
In 2011 Williams was an officiant at the royal wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton. He stepped down as archbishop of Canterbury in December 2012, and that month it was announced that he would be made a life peer. In January 2013 he became master of Magdalene College, Cambridge, and shortly thereafter joined the House of Lords as a crossbench member. He stepped down from both posts in 2020.
A fellow of the British Academy since 1990, Williams published collections of articles, sermons, and poetry. His numerous books included On Christian Theology (2000), Arius: Heresy and Tradition (2002), Writing in the Dust: After September 11 (2002), Tokens of Trust: An Introduction to Christian Belief (2007), On Augustine (2016), and The Way of St. Benedict (2020).
The trusted destination for professionals, college students, and lifelong learners.
SUBSCRIBE
