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Primate of the Anglican Church of Canada

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Primate of the Anglican Church of Canada
Archbishopric
Anglican
Incumbent:
Anne Germond (acting)
StyleThe Most Reverend
Location
CountryCanada
Ecclesiastical provinceExtraprovincial
Information
First holderRobert Machray
Established1893
Parent churchAnglican Church of Canada
Website
www.anglican.ca/primate/
Fred Hiltz, Primate from 2007–2019

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".

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 acting Primate is Archbishop Anne Germond, who succeeded upon the retirement of Linda Nicholls in 2024. Nicholls 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

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There have been fifteen primates in the history of the Canadian church, including one acting primate:

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 2019–2024 Huron
Acting Anne Germond 2024–present Algoma

References

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  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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