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John HabgoodArchbishop of York
Date of Birth: 23.06.1927
Country:  USA |
Content:
- Early Life and Education
- Ordained Ministry and Episcopal Appointments
- Archbishop of York
- Contention for the See of Canterbury
- Science and Religion
- Honours and Legacy
Early Life and Education
John Stapylton Habgood was born on 23 June 1927, to Arthur Henry Habgood and Vera. He received his education at Eton College, King's College Cambridge, and Ripon College Cuddesdon.
Ordained Ministry and Episcopal Appointments
After serving as a university demonstrator in pharmacology in 1950, Habgood became a Fellow of King's College in 1952. He was ordained a priest in 1954 and held curacies at St Mary Abbots Church, Kensington, London (1954-1956) and St John's Church, Jedburgh (1962-1967). In 1967, he became the Warden of the theological King's College, Edgbaston, before being consecrated Bishop of Durham in 1973.
Archbishop of York
In 1983, Habgood was elected to the post of Archbishop of York after Margaret Thatcher overlooked him for the position of Bishop of London. As Archbishop, he emerged as a defender of the "conservative wing" of the Church of England amid growing divisions over the ordination of women. He retired as Archbishop in 1995.
Contention for the See of Canterbury
In 1990, Habgood was considered a leading candidate to succeed Robert Runcie as Archbishop of Canterbury. However, he was not favored by Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher's close circle, and George Carey was ultimately chosen.
Science and Religion
Beyond his ecclesiastical career, Habgood has been a member and former President of the Science and Religion Forum. He has also authored works on the relationship between science and religion, including "Truths in Tension: New Perspectives on Religion and Science" (1965).
Honours and Legacy
In 1983, Habgood was appointed a Privy Councilor. He received a life peerage in 1995 and became Baron Habgood. He has been an outspoken advocate for science and religion and has written extensively on the subject.
