Rowan Douglas Williams is an Anglican Bishop and theologian. He was the 104th Archbishop of Canterbury and was previously Bishop of Monmouth and Archbishop of Wales. Rowan’s interest in and involvement with social issues is longstanding and became quite noticeable when he appointed a special commission to address the controversial issue of consecration of homosexual individuals that threatened to divide the Anglican Communion. The commission also investigated how he could more effectively implement his moral authority over the communion of churches. Rowan faced further controversy when he proposed the adoption of Shariah or Islamic laws by the English legal system, to promote unity. He reasoned that Muslims residing in England might be at ease, while pursuing financial or marital issues in a Shariah court than in a secular court. Rowan was a fellow of the British Academy and has published collections of many articles, sermons and poems which have reflected his thoughts on religion, spirituality and other issues.
