Carey, George (1935-…), served as archbishop of Canterbury, the head of the Church of England, from 1991 to 2002. Carey was the first archbishop of Canterbury to ordain women priests. He also supported green issues (environmental conservation).
George Leonard Carey was born on Nov. 13, 1935, in the East End of London. His father was a hospital porter. Carey left school to work when he was 15 years old. In the 1950’s, he served in the Royal Air Force. In 1962, Carey received a B.D. (bachelor of divinity) degree from Kings College, London. That same year, he was ordained a deacon of the Church of England. In 1963, he was ordained a priest.
Carey was curate at St. Mary’s Church, Islington, North London, from 1962 to 1966. He then lectured on theology at Oak Hill Theological College in London, and later at St. John’s College, Nottingham. Carey also continued his own theological studies and received M.Th. (master of theology) and Ph.D. degrees. Carey served as vicar of St. Nicolas’s Church, Durham, from 1975 to 1982. From 1982 to 1987, he was principal of Trinity College, Bristol. In 1987, Carey became bishop of Bath and Wells. He remained in that post until 1991.
Carey has written several books, including I Believe in Man (1975), The Great God Robbery (1989), My Journey, Your Journey (1996), and Jesus 2000 (1999).
See also Archbishop of Canterbury ; Church of England .
