Nigel Watson, a professor for almost three decades at Ormand College’s Theological Hall (Australia), died Oct. 23, 2011. He was 83.
Born in New Zealand, Watson graduated from the University of New Zealand in 1950, went to England and received a bachelor’s degree in classics from Cambridge in 1953 and another in theology from Westminster College in 1955. In 1959, he earned a Ph.D. in religion from Princeton.
He returned home, and was ordained. In 1965, he moved to Melbourne, Australia, and became professor of the New Testament at the Presbyterian Theological Hall. In 1969, he helped establish the United Faculty of Theology which, with the inclusion of Jesuits, reportedly made the UFT the world’s most ecumenical theological faculty at the time.
He co-edited the Australian Biblical Review for 20 years, and authored many scholarly publications. His church debates on homosexuality supported change. He publicly criticized the church where he was a pastoral leader for failing to deal with complaints of sexual abuse by clergy. In support of a women’s group, he joined a strongly feminist and inclusive congregation.
Watson is survived by his wife, Stella; three children; and seven grandchildren.
Graduate memorials are prepared by the APGA.