“How are bishops elected?” Anglicans are guided by the first episcopal election described in the book of Acts (Acts1:12-26). Judas, one of the original twelve apostles, betrayed Jesus.
The remaining apostles met to choose a successor. “And they cast lots …and the lot fell on Matthias; and he was added to the eleven apostles.” We don’t know what is meant by “casting lots” and we do not know much about Matthias. Our method of casting lots is to gather the clergy and laity together to vote until they come to an agreement on the person to be the next bishop.
The new bishop will be consecrated by the laying on hands of at least three bishops who have been ordained by the laying on of hands of other bishops, thus continuing an apostolic succession. Anglicans take pride that we trace the succession of our bishops back to the original apostles.
The first bishop of what is now the Diocese of Saskatoon was John McLean (1874-1886). Bishop McLean lived in Prince Albert and served an area now encompassing mid-Saskatchewan, northern Saskatchewan, Alberta, parts of Manitoba and Ontario and all of the North West Territories. Bishop McLean travelled by river boat and horse-and-buggy over this huge area. As the Anglican population grew, new dioceses were created and bishops chosen for them.
Bishop McLean was injured when his horses and democrat tipped while coming down the riverbank in Edmonton. He was placed on a raft and transported 500 miles on the North Saskatchewan River to Prince Albert where he died. He is buried in the church yard of St. Mary’s Church in the west end of Prince Albert. The magnificent stained-glass window in St. Chad’s Chapel on the University of Saskatchewan campus is dedicated to his memory.
With the large population increase in central Saskatchewan in the early 1900s, the Diocese of Saskatoon was created. Bishop W.T. Hallam moved from Prince Albert to Saskatoon in 1931 with the title 5th Bishop of Saskatoon. The geography of our diocese followed the CNR main line and the Yellowhead Highway from Manitoba to Lloydminster, as it does today.
There have been 13 bishops of Saskatoon. The longest tenure (20 years) was held by Bishop Stanley Steer (1950-1970). The shortest time in office was Bishop Wilfred Fuller (1949-1950), who died in office after only five months. Two of our bishops became archbishops: Bishop Tom Morgan (1993 to 2004) served as metropolitan (senior bishop) from 2000 to 2003 and Bishop Chris Harper (2018-2023) was elected National Aboriginal Archbishop in 2022.
You too can participate in the choosing of a new bishop. Your prayers for wisdom and guidance are critical. Information about the nominees will be circulated. You could consult with the clergy and Lay Delegates from your parish. Pray for the candidates and the electors. You might gather a prayer group on the day of the election, Saturday, March 8.
When the new bishop is chosen, please keep that person in your prayers.
The Collect for the Consecration of a Bishop on p. 657 of the Book of Common Prayer might be your guide: “Almighty God, who by thy Son Jesus Christ didst give to thy holy Apostles many excellent gifts, and didst charge them to feed thy flock: Give grace, we beseech thee, to all Bishops, the Pastors of thy Church, that they may diligently preach thy Word, and duly administer the godly discipline thereof; and grant to the people, that they may obediently follow the same; that all may receive the crown of everlasting glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.”
The Right Rev. Rodney Andrews, D.D., is the interim bishop of Saskatoon.
