The Most Rev. Donald Coggan, 90, the former Archbishop of Canterbury, died May 17. He served as Primate from 1974 to 1980. Since his retirement he has served as an assistant bishop in the dioceses of Canterbury and Winchester.

Paying tribute to his predecessor, the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Rev. George Carey, said: "Dr. Donald Coggan's death at the age of 90 brings to an end an illustrious ministry as a distinguished Hebrew scholar, devoted pastor and dedicated Archbishop.

"He will be remembered particularly for his remarkable contribution to the New English Bible and Revised English Bible, and for his unfailing support for the Council for Christians and Jews.

"Our prayers today are with his wife and family. We shall all miss him."

The Most Rev. Frank Griswold, Presiding Bishop, said, "Anglicans everywhere mark with sorrow the death of Lord Coggan as we celebrate his ministry among us. [He] was a renowned biblical scholar with a particular commitment to evangelism. A superb preacher, he had preached and lectured in the Episcopal Church many times and was much respected here. He will be remembered as warm and gracious, and possessed of a pastor's heart. And of course Coggan was the first archbishop of Canterbury to envision the ordination of women to the priesthood. We thank God for his ministry and pray for the repose of his soul and for his wife and family."

Prior to being named Archbishop of Canterbury, he had been Archbishop of York, 1961-74; Bishop of Bradford 1956-61; principal of the London College of Divinity 1944-56; previously holding the curacy of St. Mary's, Islington, London, and professor of New Testament at Wycliffe College, Toronto, Canada.

Archbishop Coggan was president of the Liturgical Commission 1960-64; president of the Society for Old Testament Studies 1967-68; prelate of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem 1967-90; and pro chancellor of York University 1962-74 and Hull University 1968-74.

Anglican Communion News Service and Episcopal News Service