Despite his sermon's title, the Archbishop also discussed some of Harvard's advantages, citing the University as a vital, if traditional, center for the worship of ideas. Discoveries at Harvard have led to the splitting of the atom, the development of new wonder drugs and the overturning of old ideas.

One church-goer had another interpretation of the sermon's title.

"I think when he says 'awful' he means 'full of awe,'" said Susan Wexler, who said she is a regular attendant of services at Memorial Church.

After the service, Pusey stood in the church's Nathan Pusey room, surrounded by portraits of himself, and greeted well-wishers and family members. On Saturday, Pusey and his family visited Loeb House, the former residence of Harvard's presidents, where Pusey raised his three children.

Two of Pusey's grandchildren, Drake S. Pusey '97 and Jennifer L. Pusey '00, are current undergraduates.

Pusey is expected to attend Commencement this year to see his grandson, Drake, graduate.

These days, Pusey said, his primary activities are "reading and staying alive." Despite his joking, others at the celebration thought Pusey looked chipper for a man born before both World Wars and whose political adversary was Sen. Joseph McCarthy, the Wisconsin Republican who assailed many Harvard professors during the Cold War.

Asked about Pusey's health, Gomes replied, "Looking well? My God, my face is more lined than his!"

"60 Minutes" Interview

Yesterday evening, Gomes also was featured on the CBS News program "60 Minutes," in which he was interviewed by CBS correspondent Morley Safer.

Discussing his identities as a gay, black and Republican reverend, Gomes--who has served as Memorial Church's minister since 1974--told Safer, "I am something of a contrarian. I don't know any other way of being a contrarian than embodying it in one's persona.