Donald Coggan

Frederick Donald Coggan, Baron Coggan (December 23 1909 - May 17, 2000) was the 101st Archbishop of Canterbury from 1974 to 1980, during which time he visited Rome and met the Pontiff, in company with Bishop Cormac Murphy-O'Connor, future Cardinal of England and Wales.

Life and work

He was ordained a priest in 1935, appointed Bishop of Bradford in 1956 and Archbishop of York in 1965. After his retirement as Archbishop of Canterbury he was elevated to the House of Lords, as Baron Coggan, of Canterbury and Sissinghurst in the County of Kent.

Related Topics:
Priest - Bishop of Bradford - Archbishop of York - House of Lords

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His tenure as archbishop is noted for his strong support for the ordination of women (which did not happen until 1994), having proposed it at the Lambeth Conference of the world's Anglican churches in 1970. His comparatively brief tenure was marked by his boldness, orderliness and punctuality. Aside from his duties of his primacy, he was a prolific writer - his works including Call To The Nation (1975). He was also a speaker and preacher, often accompanied by his wife, Jean Braithwaite.

Related Topics:
Ordination - Anglican

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Among his other roles was being Honorary President of the United Bible Societies from 1957 to 1976. His excellent knowledge of the scriptures meant he made an enormous contribution to the furthering of the organisation. He also founded the Lord Coggan Memorial Fund which helped to supply Russian children with copies of the bible.

Related Topics:
United Bible Societies - Russia

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He died at the age of 90 and was buried at St Alban?s Cathedral, Hertfordshire.

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