- Nickname: General Synod Communications
The Primate speaks at the closing service of General Synod 2010.
The Most Rev. Fredrick James Hiltz is the 13th Primate of the Anglican Church of Canada. Born in Dartmouth, N.S. in 1953, the Archbishop has lived most of his life by the Atlantic Ocean. Many of the churches he has served have been within a stone’s throw of the coast.
Archbishop Hiltz grew up in an Anglican family in Dartmouth, and was baptized into the church at the age of four. Christ Church, Dartmouth, was a formative spiritual community for him, and he found role models in Bishop Leonard Hatfield, the Rev. Peter MacDonald, and the Rev. Emery Harris.
Archbishop Hiltz’s education began with a Bachelor of Science degree from Dalhousie University, where he focused on biology. He then answered a long-time call to ministry by pursuing a Masters of Divinity at the Atlantic School of Theology.
It was as a young seminary student that Archbishop Hiltz met his future wife, Lynne Samways of Halifax. They met while attending Christ Church, Dartmouth, and as his wife recalls—with some amusement—their first date was to a church potluck.
After being ordained in 1978, Archbishop Hiltz ministered in small Nova Scotia communities, including Sydney, Melford-Guysborough, and Timberlea-Lakeside. This is where he cultivated his love for parish ministry, specifically for being with people in times of difficulty and celebration.
From 1984 to 1988 the Archbishop served as assistant priest at the Cathedral Church of All Saints, Halifax. In addition to his regular pastoral duties at the cathedral he also organized major diocesan events, including synods, ordinations, and ecumenical gatherings.
During these postings, Archbishop Hiltz served on several diocesan committees and the diocesan council. From 1987 to 1988 he also served as director of the Anglican Formation Program at the Atlantic School of Theology. In 1988 he was appointed as rector of the historic St. John’s Anglican Church in Lunenburg, N.S.
In 1995, Archbishop Hiltz was elected suffragan bishop of the Diocese of Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island. He was elected diocesan bishop in 2002.
In June 2007, the General Synod, meeting in Winnipeg, elected him Primate to succeed the 12th Primate, Archbishop Andrew Hutchison, who retired.
As chief pastor of the Anglican Church of Canada, Archbishop Hiltz takes great joy in visiting what he calls “our beloved church.” He enjoys spending time with parishes and dioceses across Canada and supporting ministry on the ground. He is also committed to supporting the work of bishops and walking alongside them during challenging times.
Archbishop Hiltz is also passionate about enhancing Anglican-Lutheran relations, both in Canada and internationally. This interest first arose during parish ministry in Lunenburg, a town with a substantial German Lutheran population. Since 2006, Archbishop Hiltz has co-chaired the Anglican-Lutheran International Commission. Now as Primate, he actively works with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC), a full communion partner of the Anglican Church of Canada. Susan Johnson, the current National Bishop of the ELCIC, was elected to office the same week as Archbishop Hiltz. They have developed a close working relationship since then.
In January 2008, Archbishop Hiltz took on an active role in the Primate’s World Relief and Development Fund (PWRDF), when he became the first Primate to be elected president of its board. He is committed to promoting this Anglican social justice and development organization, which he believes is a witness to Christ’s compassion.
In his spare time, Archbishop Hiltz enjoys caring for animals, particularly his Labrador retriever Joey and his cat Mr. Tim. Vacations often take Lynne and Fred back to the ocean, where they find peace by walking along the beach.
Archbishop Hiltz and Lynne Samways-Hiltz have one son, Nathan, a Humber College-trained jazz guitarist who has lived in Toronto since 1999.
Your Grace:Yesterday you presided over an historic occasion at Grace Church Markham in its 166 years of service to the community.I have been at Grace since coming to Markham in early 1969 (as the then Manager of Scotiabank)and to see the size and diversity of the congregation, the joy abounding and the respect, love and warmth conveyed in your homily, which had a spell-binding affect on all gathered,(plus the 17 candidates for confirmation) was indeed an event of historic proportions.It was especially pleasing to hear the important words of recognition you accorded to the retiring Archbishop of Canterbury which were most gratifying at a time when many are castigating a man who provided thoughtful and courageous leadership at a time when the Anglican Communion (a large tent faith)is facing major turmoil(to which on an historic note it is no stranger).What I experienced yesterday is the apex to date of a long very positive building incumbency of Canon John Read,who has in the terms of the recent fund raising Campaign sponsored by Archbishop Colin, put us on a new path of “re-imaging Church.
Coming from Charlottetown and a membrer of St.Paul’s from my early baptism until I left with the Bank (for London ON)at 22, it was kind and graciuous of you to talk with me unintroduced, but it seemed it was the only chance I would get on this visit.Thank you for autographing the prayer book and for standing with Katie for the pictures (this was an unforgetable time for both recipients).My Dad Tom was Sexton at St.Paul’s 1951-66.He passed away in ’66 and my mother in 2006.Both Jay MacDonald and Archdeason Clarke were exceptional in ministering to my mother Hilda.It has been a sincere pleasure meeting you and hopefully we will have a further opportunity to talk again in the future.Cheers Rogers.