Primate of the Anglican Church of Canada

Last updated
Primate of the Anglican Church of Canada
Archbishopric
Anglican
Incumbent:
Shane Parker
Style The Most Reverend
Location
Country Canada
Ecclesiastical province Extraprovincial
Information
First holder Robert Machray
Established1893
Parent church Anglican Church of Canada
Website
www.anglican.ca/primate/
Fred Hiltz, Primate from 2007-2019 Fred Hiltz.jpg
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".

Contents

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.

Shane Parker was elected the 15th primate by the 2025 General Synod of the church and installed on June 29, 2025, succeeding acting primate Anne Germond. [3]

List of Primates

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

OrderImageNameTenureDiocese
1st The Rt. Rev. Robert Machray (cropped 2).jpg Robert Machray 1893–1904 Rupert's Land
2nd William Bennett Bond.jpg William Bond 1904–1906 Montreal
3rd The Rt. Rev. Arthur Sweatman (cropped).jpg Arthur Sweatman 1907–1909 Toronto
4th Anglican archbishops and bishops of Canada (Samuel Matheson cropped).jpg Samuel Matheson 1909–1932 Rupert's Land
5th Anglican archbishops and bishops of Canada (Clarendon Worrell cropped).jpg Clarendon Worrell 1932–1934 Nova Scotia
6th Derwyn Owen 1934–1947 Toronto
7th Frederick Kingston 1947–1949 Nova Scotia
8th No image.png Walter Barfoot 1949–1959 Edmonton and Rupert's Land
9th No image.png Howard Clark 1959–1971 Edmonton and Rupert's Land
10th No image.png Ted Scott 1971–1986 Kootenay
11th Michael Peers in Regina after election as Bishop of Qu'Appelle (cropped).jpg Michael Peers 1986–2004 Qu'Appelle
12th Smiles all around (345736868) (cropped).jpg Andrew Hutchison 2004–2007 Montreal
13th The Most Reverend Fred Hiltz, Primate of the Anglican Church of Canada (4524190379) (cropped).jpg Fred Hiltz 2007–2019 Nova Scotia
14th Screenshot (Linda Nicholls, screenshot from "St. Anne's Online Worship - 14 JUNE 2020 - CORPUS CHRISTI SUNDAY", youtube Jun 13, 2020 (1)207) (cropped).png Linda Nicholls 2019–2024 Huron
Acting No image.png Anne Germond 2024–2025 Algoma
15th No image.png Shane Parker 2025–present Ottawa

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.
  3. Frankling, Sean (June 27, 2025). "Bishop of Ottawa Shane Parker elected primate". Anglican Journal. Retrieved 27 June 2025.