Linda Nicholls Elected and Installed as Primate
Bishop of Huron becomes first woman to serve as the national spiritual leader
Posted July 17, 2019
Archbishop Linda Nicholls was installed as the fourteenth primate of the Anglican Church of Canada in a beautiful and historic service at Christ Church Cathedral in Vancouver on July 16, at the conclusion of the 42nd General Synod.
"Her election is such good news for our church as she is a woman of deep faith, a fine and experienced ambassador for our church and a person of wisdom and grace," said Bishop Susan Bell, who has worked closely with the new primate. "We will be well led as a church with all Archbishop Linda's gifts."
The first woman to serve in this national role as presiding bishop and chief executive officer of the Anglican Church of Canada, Archbishop Nicholls was elected on the fourth ballot from among a slate of five nominees. "The ministry and work of the Primate can be understood through the roles of bridge builder, diplomat, pastor and servant-leader of the Church," said Archbishop Nicholls in her primatial nomination profile.
Ordained a priest in 1986, Archbishop Nicholls has served a number of Ontario parishes before, in 2007, she was elected to serve as a suffragan bishop in the Diocese of Toronto. In 2016, she was elected coadjutor bishop of the Diocese of Huron, becoming diocesan bishop of Huron in November of that year.
In an address following her election she told members of General Synod that there is reconciliation and healing work to do across the Anglican Church of Canada. "I know that this church can do it,” she said. “I have seen this church rise to the challenge of its diversity; I’ve seen this church act in remarkable ways that the rest of the world does watch. And even though we at times can cause each other deep hurt and pain, I’ve also seen us rise to the challenge of that healing work of coming together around God’s table where our first calling is in Christ.”
Read more about the primatial election here.
