At the November 2012 meeting of the General Synod of the Church of England, Rowell was one of the three members of the House of Bishops who voted against the ordination of women as bishops.
În cadrul întâlnirii Sinodului General al Bisericii Engleze din noiembriee 2012, Rowell a fost unul din trei membrii ai Casei Episcopilor care au votat împotriva ordinării femeii ca episcop.