Peter J. Gomes | Harvard's pastor, 68

The Rev. Peter J. Gomes, 68, a nationally influential Baptist minister and advocate for tolerance who oversaw Harvard University's Memorial Church for more than 30 years, died Monday of complications from a stroke, according to a statement from the university.

"Peter Gomes served Harvard with unparalleled dedication, wisdom, and creativity for more than four decades," president Drew Faust said. "He was an original, a teacher in the fullest sense - a scholar, a mentor, one of the great preachers of our generation, and a living symbol of courage and conviction."

Dr. Gomes described himself as a cultural conservative but stunned the Harvard community in 1991 when he said he was gay in response to harassment against gays on campus.

He published 11 volumes of sermons, as well as books, including 1996's The Good Book: Reading the Bible With Mind and Heart, in which he analyzed the Bible's use in marginalizing Jews, African Americans, women, and gays.

Dr. Gomes was a professor at Harvard Divinity School who most recently taught classes on the history of Harvard and its presidents, interpreting the Bible, and an introduction to preaching.

He participated in the inaugurations of Presidents Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush. He also participated in the first inauguration of Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick.

In 1979, Time magazine called him "one of the seven most distinguished preachers in America," and in 1998 he was named Clergy of the Year by the organization Religion in American Life.

- AP