13
November 1935 A.D. George
Carey Born—103rd of 105 Archbishops of Canterbury
No
author. “George Carey—103rd Archbishop of Canterbury.” Justin
Welby: Archbishop of Canterbury. N.d. http://www.archbishopofcanterbury.org/pages/george-carey-103rd-archbishop-of-canterbury.html. Accessed 13 Jun 2014.
George
Carey - 103rd Archbishop of Canterbury
"An unassuming
but effective Archbishop of Canterbury" - The Times on the announcement of
his retirement
An ordinary East Londoner, George Carey's early background
was typical of many of his generation. Born in 1935 in the East End of
London, the son of a hospital porter, he left school at 15 and began
working at the London Electricity Board as an office boy, and also served with
the Royal Air Force in Iraq during the fifties.
By the time he was twenty, he had decided he wanted to be ordained as a minister into the Church of England. After graduating from London College of Divinity (ALCD) and King's College London (BD. Hons) he served as a curate in Islington, London. During this time he went on to research the early origins of Christian ministry and earned both M.Th and Ph.D Degrees. He then taught at two Colleges before becoming a parish priest at St.Nicholas' Durham.
By the time he was twenty, he had decided he wanted to be ordained as a minister into the Church of England. After graduating from London College of Divinity (ALCD) and King's College London (BD. Hons) he served as a curate in Islington, London. During this time he went on to research the early origins of Christian ministry and earned both M.Th and Ph.D Degrees. He then taught at two Colleges before becoming a parish priest at St.Nicholas' Durham.
This was a formative experience for him, taking charge of a
church in the centre of Durham which became the hub of a thriving ministry. He
oversaw extensive reordering - replacing the traditional layout for more
flexible furniture and establishing a ministry team.
In 1982 he became Principal of Trinity Theological College
in Bristol and, in 1987, Bishop of Bath and Wells.
In 1991 he was invited to take up the post of 103rd
Archbishop of Canterbury. He came to a church faced with the
challenge of the ordination of women to the priesthood and steered the church
successfully through the difficult period of adjustment as the first women were
ordained. In what was a painful period for the church, he established the
means by which many clergy, people and parishes dissenting from the decision
could remain within the church through bishops appointed especially to look
after them.
His time also saw harsh economic realities becoming clear.
After a headline story about the significant loss of value of the Church
Commissioners investment holdings, he initiated a review of the churches
structures and governance which resulted in the formation of the Archbishop's
Council, a new senior body bringing together policy and finance.
He took very seriously his responsibilities in the Anglican
Communion, as head of 70 million Anglicans worldwide, travelling
extensively throughout the provinces. Notably, he paid a harrowing trip to
Rwanda in 1994 in the aftermath of the genocide and upset his hosts in Sudan on
a subsequent visit, resulting in the expulsion of the British
Ambassador. He hosted the 1998 Lambeth Conference, the first to which
women bishops were invited.
He took a major lead on interfaith matters, bringing faith
leaders from the UK at times of crisis and opportunity. He established the
first of the Building Bridges seminars, which bring together Christian and
Muslim scholars in dialogue. In the Middle East he established the Alexandria
Process, which brought together religious leaders from Jerusalem and the Holy
Land to agree common principles aimed at preventing the region's religious
sensibilities being exploited during conflicts.
In England his time saw notable national events: he took
part in the funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales in 1997, led worship for the
nation in the Dome for the new Millennium; quoted St John's Gospel - 'the
light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it' at the
Service commemorating the victims of the 9/11 attacks; led the
tributes at the funeral of Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother in 2001 and
preached memorably at Golden Jubilee of the Queen in 2002 on the theme 'You
have reigned with our Love'.
He retired in 2002 at the age of 66 and was made a life
peer, taking the title Lord Carey of Clifton, reflecting
appreciation of his time as Bishop of Bath and Wells.
Detailed biography
George Leonard Carey (1935 - )
The Rt Revd & Rt Hon. The Lord Carey of Clifton (created life peer 2002)
The Rt Revd & Rt Hon. The Lord Carey of Clifton (created life peer 2002)
born 13.11.1935 East London. Son of George Carey hospital
porter; Bifrons Secondary Modern School Barking (left aged 15). National
Service (RAF Wireless Operator) 1954-1956. He studied first at London College
of Divinity and then at Kings College London BD1962 MTh1965 PhD1971.
m.1960 Eileen (Harmsworth Hood), nurse. children 2 sons, 2
daughters.
Ministry:
Ordained deacon in 1962 and priest in 1963 by the
Bishop of London. Curate of Islington St Mary 1962-1966; Lecturer at Oak
Hill Theological College from 1966-1970; Lecturer at St Johns College
Nottingham from 1970-1975; Vicar of Durham St Nicholas 1975-1982; Chaplain
HM Remand Centre Low Newton 1977-1981; Principal of Trinity
College Bristol from 1982-1987; Honorary Canon of Bristol Cathedral
from 1984-1987;
Consecrated Bishop in Southwark Cathedral in 1987; Bishop of
Bath & Wells 1987; Chairman Faith & Order Advisory Group ? - 1987-1991;
Archbishop of Canterbury 1991-2002; retired in 2002 aged 66; having served
more than 11 years in post,
His time as Archbishop coincided with » Elizabeth II 1952- »
Prime Ministers » J Major Con 1990-97 » Tony Blair Lab
1997 - » Popes » John Paul II 1978 - » Archbishops of York »
John Habgood 1983-95 » David Hope 1995- »
Awarded the Royal Victorian Chain 2002; Privy Councillor
from 1991; Fellow of Kings Coll London from 1993.
Writings:
I Believe in Man 1975;
God Incarnate 1979;
The Meeting of the Waters 1985;
The Gate of Glory 1986;
The Message of the Bible 1988;
The Great God Robbery 1989;
I Believe 1991;
Sharing a Vision 1993;
Spiritual Journey 1994;
My Journey, Your Journey 1996;
Canterbury - Letters to the Future 1998;
Jesus 2000 1999;
jointly:
The Great Acquittal 1976;
Planting New Churches 1991;
Firsts:
1st Archbishop openly to support Arsenal FC; 1st Archbishop
of Canterbury to ordain women to the priesthood; 1st Archbishop to host Lambeth
Conference to which women Bishops were invited;
Research: Steve Empson and Jenny Childs
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