Primate of the Anglican Church of Canada
Encyclopedia
The Primate of the Anglican Church of Canada
(referred to in older documents as the Primate of All Canada) is elected by the General Synod of the Church from among a list of five bishops nominated by the House of Bishops. The role of diocesan (or 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 "Archbishop" and is styled "The Most Reverend (Name), Primate of Canada."
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, appointment 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 Fred Hiltz
, who was elected at the 38th General Synod held in the Diocese of Rupert's Land in Winnipeg, Manitoba in June 2007. He was installed in office at the close of that Synod. He is the 13th Primate of the Anglican Church of Canada
.
Anglican Church of Canada
The Anglican Church of Canada is the Province of the Anglican Communion in Canada. The official French name is l'Église Anglicane du Canada. The ACC is the third largest church in Canada after the Roman Catholic Church and the United Church of Canada, consisting of 800,000 registered members...
(referred to in older documents as the Primate of All Canada) is elected by the General Synod of the Church from among a list of five bishops nominated by the House of Bishops. The role of diocesan (or 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
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
. 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 "Archbishop" and is styled "The Most Reverend (Name), Primate of Canada."
The Primate, while not holding the responsibility for a particular diocese, has a pastoral responsibility for the entire Anglican Church of Canada
Anglican Church of Canada
The Anglican Church of Canada is the Province of the Anglican Communion in Canada. The official French name is l'Église Anglicane du Canada. The ACC is the third largest church in Canada after the Roman Catholic Church and the United Church of Canada, consisting of 800,000 registered members...
. 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, appointment 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
Anglican Church of Canada
The Anglican Church of Canada is the Province of the Anglican Communion in Canada. The official French name is l'Église Anglicane du Canada. The ACC is the third largest church in Canada after the Roman Catholic Church and the United Church of Canada, consisting of 800,000 registered members...
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
Anglican Communion
The Anglican Communion is an international association of national and regional Anglican churches in full communion with the Church of England and specifically with its principal primate, the Archbishop of Canterbury...
and at the World Council of Churches
World Council of Churches
The World Council of Churches is a worldwide fellowship of 349 global, regional and sub-regional, national and local churches seeking unity, a common witness and Christian service. It is a Christian ecumenical organization that is based in the Ecumenical Centre in Geneva, Switzerland...
gatherings.
The current Primate is Archbishop Fred Hiltz
Fred Hiltz
Frederick James "Fred" Hiltz is the current Primate of the Anglican Church of Canada.Hiltz was born in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia where he was also raised. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree at Dalhousie University in 1975 and obtained his Master of Divinity degree at the Atlantic School of...
, who was elected at the 38th General Synod held in the Diocese of Rupert's Land in Winnipeg, Manitoba in June 2007. He was installed in office at the close of that Synod. He is the 13th Primate of the Anglican Church of Canada
Anglican Church of Canada
The Anglican Church of Canada is the Province of the Anglican Communion in Canada. The official French name is l'Église Anglicane du Canada. The ACC is the third largest church in Canada after the Roman Catholic Church and the United Church of Canada, consisting of 800,000 registered members...
.
Primates
There have been thirteen primates in the history of the Canadian church:- Robert MachrayRobert MachrayRobert Machray was a Church of England clergyman and missionary and the first Primate of the Church of England in Canada.-Life:...
(1893 – 1904) - William B. Bond (1904 – 1906)
- Arthur SweatmanArthur SweatmanArthur Sweatman was a Canadian Anglican bishop and the third Primate of the Anglican Church of Canada.- Early life :...
(1907 – 1909) - Samuel Pritchard MathesonSamuel Pritchard MathesonSamuel Pritchard Matheson was a Canadian clergyman, Archbishop of Rupert’s Land, and 4th, as well as the longest-serving, Primate of the Anglican Church of Canada.-Life:...
(1909 – 1931) - Clarendon Lamb WorrellClarendon Lamb WorrellClarendon Lamb Worrell was the 5th Primate of the Anglican Church of Canada.- Early life :Clarendon Lamb Worrell was born on July 20, 1853 at Smith's Falls, Ontario to the Reverend Canon John Worrell and Elizabeth Lamb...
(1931 – 1934) - Derwyn Trevor OwenDerwyn Trevor OwenDerwyn Trevor Owen was the sixth Primate of the Anglican Church of Canada and the fifth Bishop of Niagara then Toronto. Educated at Trinity College, Toronto, he was ordained in 1901. He held curacies at St John’s Church, Toronto and then St James’ Cathedral in the same city...
(1934 – 1947) - George Frederick KingstonGeorge Frederick KingstonGeorge Frederick Kingston was a Canadian Anglican bishop in the 20th century.Kingston was born in Prescott, Ontario, educated at Trinity College, Toronto and ordained in 1916. He was Professor of Philosophy at King's College, Nova Scotia and then Dean of Trinity College until 1940 when he was...
(1947 – 1950) - Walter Foster BarfootWalter Foster BarfootWalter Foster Barfoot was a Canadian Anglican bishop.Barfoot was educated at the University of Toronto and ordained in 1923. He was a tutor at the College of Emmanuel and St. Chad Saskatoon and then a professor at St. John’s College, Winnipeg. He became Bishop of Edmonton in 1941 and Primate of...
(1950 – 1959) - Howard ClarkHoward Clark (bishop)Howard Hewlett Clark, was Primate of the Anglican Church of Canada from 1959 to 1971.Born in Fort Macleod, Alberta, Clark attended the University of Trinity College in Toronto. He was first appointed Curate of St. John the Baptist Norway in Toronto, Ontario in 1930. In 1932 he was made Curate of...
(1959 – 1971) - Ted ScottTed ScottEdward "Ted" Scott, CC was a Canadian Anglican bishop.Scott was born in Edmonton, Alberta in 1919 and grew up in Vancouver, where his father was a rector. He attended Anglican Theological College and was ordained in 1942...
(1971 – 1986) - Michael PeersMichael PeersMichael Geoffrey Peers was Primate of the Anglican Church of Canada from 1986 to 2004.Born in Vancouver, British Columbia, Peers completed an undergraduate degree in languages at the University of British Columbia in 1956 and a diploma in translation at the University of Heidelberg in 1957...
(1986 – 2004) - Andrew HutchisonAndrew HutchisonAndrew Sandford Hutchison is a retired Primate of the Anglican Church of Canada. Prior to his election at the General Synod of 2004, he was the bishop of Montreal and metropolitan of the ecclesiastical province of Canada...
(2004 – 2007) - Fred HiltzFred HiltzFrederick James "Fred" Hiltz is the current Primate of the Anglican Church of Canada.Hiltz was born in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia where he was also raised. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree at Dalhousie University in 1975 and obtained his Master of Divinity degree at the Atlantic School of...
(incumbent, installed 25 June 2007)