BISHOP JAMES ALMASI The bishop of the Diocese of Masasi in Tanzania is expected to be a guest at the Diocese of Montreal Synod in October, as is Bishop Barbara Andrews from the Anglican Parishes of the Central Interior (of British Columbia). See Brian Perron’s article on Page 4. FRANCIE NADEAU-KEATS The Rev. Francie Nadeau-Keats from the Quebec Lower North Shore has accepted another interim posting in the Diocese of Montreal: this time at the Church of the Epiphany Verdun. See Page 14. GÉRALD CYPRIEN CARDINAL LACROIX The Roman Catholic Archbishop of Quebec City told an ecumenical “Green Church” conference in Quebec City that, “I am convinced that we are ‘ripe’ enough to become a Green Church! I rejoice as I see the climate that exists between our churches to reflect and help our members on this question, the respect of the environment, of Creation. We live on this earth that God generously created and gave us.” See Page 10 and the accompanying issue of The Anglican Journal. June 2015 • A section of the Anglican Journal Official Publication of the Diocese of Montreal A bishop’s greatest joy “I was once asked, what brings me the greatest joy as a bishop?” the Right Rev. Barry Clarke, who is retiring as bishop of Montreal in late August, said in his opening address to the diocesan synod last fall. “My experience of moving around the diocese sharing in worship, leadership and conversation in our parishes and community ministries, is ELECTORAL SYNOD probably the most enriching thing that I celebrate as bishop.” He confirmed six candidates at St. Paul’s Côte des Neiges on March 22. In the front row, left to right, are Kyage Jade Spicer-Vernon, Tamara Jada Richards-James, Makaela Azariah Ramlackhan, Naeem Rayshon Douglas, Bishop Clarke, Alexis Victoria Carter, Alyssa Taylor Carter, TO BE JUNE 6 Destiny Renee Dyer and the rector of the parish, the Ven. James W. Bennett. (Photo: Kris Bennett) Staff Church Cathedral, balloting will commence in Fulford Hall about If all goes according plan, the next 9:30 a.m. and continue, ballot after Francophones a priority for new principal bishop of Montreal will be elected ballot, if necessary, until a candidate Saturday, June 6. has a majority of both the clerical Staff served as dean of students from 1996 In consultation with Archbishop and lay votes. There are canonical to 2003, when he turned to teaching. Percy Coffin of Western Newfound - procedures in case of an impasse. The Rev. Donald Boisvert, an assis - He earned a doctorate in religious land, metropolitan of the seven The deadline for nominations tant priest at Christ Church Cathe - studies at the University of Ottawa, eastern Canada dioceses in the submitted in advance was May 14 dral and professor of religion at which he received in 1990. Ecclesiastical Province of Canada, and the names of the nominees and Concordia University, where he is Much later, he turned to the David Eramian, chancellor (or chief information about them were to be the current chair of the department Anglican church “as a way of living legal officer) of the Diocese of Mon - distributed to delegates (and for of religion, will be the new principal out his faith with integrity as a treal, has called an electoral synod practical purposes made public) by of the Montreal Diocesan Theologi - Christian gay man,” a profile on the on that day to elect a successor to the 21st. That was too early for the cal College. Cathedral website says. At that time, the Right Rev. Barry Clarke, who is deadlines for this issue of Anglican Then board of governors of the he again felt the call to ordained retiring in late August. Montreal but the information should Dio, as the Anglican seminary on the ministry. This is the only business that will be available on the diocesan website. McGill University campus is often While preparing for the Anglican be transacted at the synod. (Click on “Synod.”) known, made the appointment priesthood, he studied at the Dio. Roughly speaking, voting dele - A canon of the Ecclesiastical April 8. So far as he knows, he is the first gates to the electoral synod are Province states that any priest or He will assume his new post alumnus of the Dio to become its mostly the same as those are to be bishop of the Anglican Church of September 1, succeeding the Rev. principal. delegates at the annual diocesan Canada or of a church in full com - Canon John Simons, who has been He has served at the Cathedral synod October 16 and 17 – about 60 munion therewith (for example, the Principal of the College since 1991. since 2012, the year he was ordained active clergy and 80 lay people, the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Dr. Boisvert, 63, will take early Dr. Boisvert was born in the as a deacon. latter largely those elected at the Canada) who is at least 30 years of retirement from Concordia to as - United States of French-Canadian His specialties in teaching and most recent vestry meetings. age may be elected as a bishop. sume his new post. He expects to parents, but has lived in Canada research are the history of Christiani - A quorum consists of two-thirds The candidate elected must be remain attached to the Cathedral, since the late 1960s. In his youth, he ty (particularly the cult of saints) and of the clergy and lay delegates from ratified by the House of Bishops of where he has had special responsibil - spent several years studying for the the intersections of religion, gender, two-thirds of the “cures” (mostly the Ecclesiastical Province before ity for French-language ministry, Roman Catholic priesthood. and sexuality. parishes). If there is no quorum, the being consecrated, probably after although he said he “may not be as He joined the dean of students’ His is married to his long-time synod will adjourn to a later date. having had a chance to consult with present as currently. office at Concordia in 1979 and partner, Gaston. Following a Eucharist in Christ Bishop Barry on current issues. J AnglicAn MOnTREAl • nE J 2020 VISIO N Pastoral ‘We are in a listening phase’ Plan to be shaped by consultation, input from Letter new bishop and team Executive Archdeacon Bill Gray As highlighted in earlier editions of Here is the text of a pastoral letter that Bishop Anglican Montreal , we as a diocese are in a listening phase with regard Barry Clarke asked to be read in communities to our new five-year plan. Among the of faith in the Diocese of Montreal April 12. key questions we are asking is “What ministry is important to you?” This He refers to the death of his wife, Leslie James, is entirely intentional as we move forward not so much as a “diocese in October 2012. The chancellor of the diocese with a mission” but rather as a is David Eramian and the Metropolitan of the “missional diocese.” When every - one’s voice is heard, it gives us all a Ecclesiastical Province of Canada (in eastern much broader context in which to However I am very optimistic live out our faith in community. about the future of our diocese. This Canada) is Archbishop Percy Coffin of Our online survey closed on April 10 comes from spending time working Western Newfoundland. with approximately 1,800 individual on many different projects with responses about the ministries that creative people across our diocese. respondents value. In addition, we We see the Laurentians and Eastern are engaging this discussion at Townships moving forward with Diocesan Council, Episcopal Council their regional ministry plans, thus My Brothers and Sisters in Christ: and diocesan staff meetings, in freeing themselves to put more various committees, in deanery energy into looking outwards with I write to you in the eleventh year of my consecration as your bishop. meetings and in many more individ - an eye to thrive and not simply ual conversations. survive. In the downtown area we are In September 2004, you placed your faith in God and in my leadership As I write this article we have experiencing many of our churches when I was elected the 11th Bishop of Montreal. formed an advisory team to formu - taking on new types of ministries late these responses into achievable which did not previously exist. On goals and an operational plan that the West Island we have parishes that It has been a busy episcopacy with many challenges of stabilizing Diocesan Council will consider and are engaged in innovative worship finances, leadership, ministry, theological issues and challenges of review in June and that the Synod and ministries, introducing such will review and consider in October. initiatives as parish nursing, and re- buildings, whilst continuing to do God’s mission and ministry as we see it in The information received from the imagining how they might envision survey and these discussions should their future individually and to - our area of God’s world. greatly assist our anticipated new gether. On the South Shore we episcopal leadership in understand - have churches intentionally working You have supported me with your prayers through Leslie’s health ing and providing leadership for our together for the benefit of their diocese. Of course, any future strate - communities. Heading up all of challenges and death and through my own challenges. gic plan will necessarily remain fluid this work are our incredible clergy and flexible to consider and await the and lay leaders working selflessly For this I will always be grateful and give thanks to God.