Primate of the Anglican Church of Canada

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 his or her 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".

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

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

Order Image Name Tenure Diocese
1stRobert Machray1893–1904Rupert's Land
2ndWilliam Bond1904–1906Montreal
3rdArthur Sweatman1907–1909Toronto
4thSamuel Matheson1909–1932Rupert's Land
5thClarendon Worrell1932–1934Nova Scotia
6thDerwyn Owen1934–1947Toronto
7thFrederick Kingston1947–1949Nova Scotia
8thWalter Barfoot1949–1959Edmonton and Rupert's Land
9thHoward Clark1959–1971Edmonton and Rupert's Land
10thTed Scott1971–1986Kootenay
11thMichael Peers1986–2004Qu'Appelle
12thAndrew Hutchison2004–2007Montreal
13thFred Hiltz2007–2019Nova Scotia
14thLinda Nicholls2019–presentHuron

References
  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.
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