Georgetown University Awards Honorary Degree to Former Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams

Rev. Rowan Williams, the former Archbishop of Canterbury, was honored with an honorary degree of Doctor of Humane Letters by Georgetown University on October 20. The award took place in Gaston Hall, where Williams delivered a lecture as part of the university’s annual Costan Lecture in Early Christianity.

Williams, who previously served as the Archbishop of Wales, was recognized for his deep commitment to the integration of faith and the common good, as well as his contributions to the spiritual and intellectual life of the global Church. His lifetime of engagement with communities across different cultures and beliefs was also highlighted in the university’s citation.

The ceremony included an opening prayer delivered by Rev. Mariann Edgar Budde, bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington. Williams’ tenure as Archbishop of Canterbury spanned from 2002 to 2012, during which he collaborated closely with Georgetown on the Building Bridges Seminar. This annual gathering brings together international Muslim and Christian scholars to reflect on theological texts.

President Eduardo Peñalver praised Williams for his model of growth through dialogue across human differences. He noted that Williams’ engagement with others fosters a deeper understanding of oneself and a stronger relationship with God.

In addition to his role as a spiritual leader, Williams served as the 35th master of Magdalene College, Cambridge, until 2020. He has since held positions as chancellor of the University of South Wales and an honorary professor at the University of Cambridge.

Williams is also known for his work as a poet, playwright, and scholar, with expertise in the early Church fathers, interreligious relations, and the literary imagination of Russian Orthodoxy. His contributions reflect a conviction that every person has a “divine secret to disclose,” offering new perspectives on God and each other.

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