Tributes from all over Britain have been paid to one of Bradford's most influential former bishops, Lord Coggan, who has died aged 90.

Dr Donald Coggan, who went on to become Archbishop off York and Canterbury, helped to push a new church building programme throughout his five-year spell in Bradford in the 1950s.

He died peacefully on Wednesday in a nursing home near Winchester, Hampshire, after a long illness.

A distinguished Biblical scholar, Dr Coggan declared his determination to see churches created in the city's new estates from the moment of his appointment in January 1956.

Kitty Hartley was his secretary during his time in Bradford. She said: "I feel a great sadness because he was such a lovely man, it's a great loss, but he had been ill for some time and was very frail, so it's also a relief in a way.

"He was very active. He was a young bishop and could really work hard. But he was wonderful to work for - a perfect gentleman who thanked me all the time even though I was properly paid.

"He also had a great sense of humour and it was a very, very happy time indeed."

Some 35 years after he had left the city, Mrs Hartley received a card of condolence from Dr Coggan when her husband died.

Dr Coggan became Archbishop of York from 1961 to 1974 before taking up the post of Archbishop of Canterbury.

He supported the ordination of women in the Church of England and was known for his inter-faith work, particularly in relations between Christians and Jews.

He retired as Archbishop of Canterbury in 1980, but continued in the church as an Assistant Bishop in the Dioceses of Canterbury and Winchester.

In 1980 he was made a life peer and became Lord Coggan of Canterbury and Sissinghurst.

He leaves a wife, Lady Jean Coggan, and two daughters, Ruth and Anne. The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr George Carey, paid tribute to his predecessor.

"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 said.

"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."

The Archbishop of York, Dr David Hope, said: "I am deeply saddened to hear of Lord Coggan's death.

"He is remembered throughout the Diocese of York and more widely in the Northern Province with much affection."

The Bishop of Bradford, the Right Reverend David Smith, got to know Lord Coggan and his family after they had moved on from the city.

He said: "Lord Coggan was both a scholar with a great love of the Bible and a very kind and compassionate pastor. In all that he did his wife, Jean, was a strong support and they both made a considerable impact on Bradford and the diocese."

Money recently given to the diocese by Lord Coggan was used to refurbish a conference room in Parcevall Hall, a retreat house, which has been named the Coggan Room in his memory.

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