Primate of the Anglican Church of Canada

Summary

The Primate of the Anglican Church of Canada (referred to in older documents as the Primate of All Canada[1] or the Primate of Canada[2]) is the primate of the Anglican Church of Canada and is elected by the General Synod of the Church from among a list of five bishops nominated by the House of Bishops. Since 1969, the role of diocesan (or metropolitan, assistant, suffragan or coadjutor) bishop is relinquished upon their election, as the Primate assumes the role of Chief Executive Officer of the National Church Office, which is located in Toronto. Additionally, the Primate serves as the President of the General Synod, the chair of the Council of General Synod and the chair of the House of Bishops. The Primate holds the title of Archbishop and is styled as "The Most Reverend (Name), Primate of Canada".

Linda Nicholls, Primate since 2019
Fred Hiltz, Primate from 2007–2019

The Primate, while not holding the responsibility for a particular diocese, has a pastoral responsibility for the entire Anglican Church of Canada. This requires a great deal of travel throughout Canada and abroad. In addition to playing a significant administrative role, the Primate also has an important pastoral and educational role in the Church. Because the Primate does not have diocesan responsibilities, ordinations, appointments of clergy and confirmations are not a frequent part of primatial ministry. The Primate serves until age 70, or earlier resignation.

The Primate speaks in the name of the Anglican Church of Canada after consultation with, or in accordance with the policies of, the General Synod or the Council of General Synod. As well, the Primate often represents the Canadian Church in international and ecumenical partnerships and dialogues, including the Lambeth Conference, the Primates' Meetings of the Anglican Communion and at the World Council of Churches gatherings.

The current Primate is Archbishop Linda Nicholls, who was elected in July 2019 at the 41st General Synod held in the Diocese of New Westminster in Vancouver, British Columbia. She was installed in office at the close of that Synod, succeeding Fred Hiltz who had served since 2007.

List of Primates edit

There have been fourteen primates in the history of the Canadian church:

Order Image Name Tenure Diocese
1st   Robert Machray 1893–1904 Rupert's Land
2nd   William Bond 1904–1906 Montreal
3rd   Arthur Sweatman 1907–1909 Toronto
4th   Samuel Matheson 1909–1932 Rupert's Land
5th   Clarendon Worrell 1932–1934 Nova Scotia
6th Derwyn Owen 1934–1947 Toronto
7th Frederick Kingston 1947–1949 Nova Scotia
8th   Walter Barfoot 1949–1959 Edmonton and Rupert's Land
9th   Howard Clark 1959–1971 Edmonton and Rupert's Land
10th   Ted Scott 1971–1986 Kootenay
11th   Michael Peers 1986–2004 Qu'Appelle
12th   Andrew Hutchison 2004–2007 Montreal
13th   Fred Hiltz 2007–2019 Nova Scotia
14th   Linda Nicholls 2019–present Huron

References edit

  1. ^ Crockford's Clerical Directory1947-48 Oxford, OUP,1947, page 1327
  2. ^ "Thirty-seven Welfare Organisations Ask Your Help!", Federation for Community Service. ca 1934-6.

External links edit

  • Primate's webpage on the Anglican Church of Canada website