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Bishop Chris Harper. (St. James Cathedral, Toronto/Facebook)
ANGLICAN CHURCH

Onion Lake man named Indigenous Archbishop of the Anglican Church

Jan 31, 2023 | 5:00 PM

A Saskatchewan Bishop will soon be starting a new, prestigious role with the Anglican Church of Canada.

Bishop Chris Harper, a member of the Onion Lake Cree Nation was recently appointed as the Indigenous Archbishop for the national Anglican Church.

Bishop Harper will officially start his role on Fen. 6. He was named to the position in early December.

The appointment was formally announced by Archbishop Linda Nicholls, Primate of the Anglican Church of Canada, and Anglican Council of Indigenous Peoples (ACIP) Co-Chairs, the Rev. Canon Dr. Murray Still and Caroline Chum.

“He has a passion for walking together with respect that will be essential as the Sacred Circle within the Anglican Church of Canada establishes its way forward. I look forward to working with Chris as we learn together how God is calling us to witness to this new relationship,” Archbishop Linda Nicholls said.

The Rev. Canon Dr. Murray Still said the Anglican Church was unanimous in its decision.

“Bishop Chris played a leadership role at that gathering when Residential School survivors shared their painful stories,” he said. “He is a pastoral man with vision and administrative skills. He also preaches well and knows the Christian and traditional spirituality. Walking in two worlds, Bishop Chris can gently bridge the two traditions at a time this is desperately needed.”

Harper is a graduate of Wycliffe College, Toronto School of Theology. His parish ministries have included on and off-reserve and shared ministry with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada.

He has also been involved with several committees within the Anglican Church of Canada including Council of General Synod, Provincial Synod and diocesan executives for Saskatchewan and Algoma.

Twitter: @battlefordsNOW

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