-Written by Rob Welch, Chancellor of the Diocese of Niagara
I’ve been asked this question a number of times in the last couple of months, since
Bishop Michael Bird announced in September that he will conclude his episcopal ministry in our Diocese on May 31st, 2018. A special electoral Synod will convene on Saturday, March 3rd, 2018 at Christ’s Church Cathedral to elect his successor, who will initially serve as coadjutor Bishop. Archbishop Colin Johnson, metropolitan of the ecclesiastical province of Ontario, will preside at the election. After a short transition period following the election, the coadjutor will assume the responsibilities of diocesan Bishop on June 1st.
At its October 3rd meeting, the diocesan Synod Council appointed a seven-person
Electoral Synod Nominations and Planning Committee to oversee the electoral planning process. The committee will also prepare biographical material on the nominees. On
December 5th, Synod Council will meet and act as a nominations committee to compile an initial list of candidates. At that time, each Synod Council member will nominate, by
secret ballot, 3 eligible persons. To be eligible for election, a priest must be in good-standing with regard to doctrine and discipline of the Anglican Church of Canada, at least thirty years of age, and have been ordained for at least seven years.
According to diocesan Canons, the top ten nominees through this process will be
contacted by the Electoral Synod Nominations and Planning Committee to ensure they are willing to let their name stand. Further nominations may also be made in writing by any ten members of Synod, with the consent of the nominee, and provided to the chair of the Electoral Synod Nominations and Planning Committee prior to or during the
electoral Synod.
This Committee will be discussing ways to disseminate information about the candidates before the electoral Synod. At the electoral Synod, after Eucharist, balloting
commences. An election is declared when one candidate receives a majority of votes of the Clergy and Lay delegates on the same ballot.
I personally hope that from the nomination of candidates through to the announcement of a final result, this electoral synod process will provide an opportunity for diocesan
discernment in an open, transparent and innovative manner.
As a parishioner of St. George’s, I’m happy that, included in our prayers for the
people, we are asking for this discernment as our diocese moves through this period of transition.