The fourth volume of The Anglican Episcopate in Canada is packed with details on 105 bishops consecrated in Canada between 1976 and 2008. Written by former primate Archbishop Michael Peers, each bishop’s entry provides details on education, service, ordinations, and elections and is accompanied by a photo.
Not only is the book an archival record, but Archbishop Peers has written his own observations on episcopal ministry over this period. Since 1976, the Anglican Church of Canada has seen many firsts, including the first ordinations of Aboriginal bishops and the first women bishops.
Archbishop Peers witnessed many of these changes first-hand. He was ordained in Ottawa in 1960, became bishop of Qu’Appelle in 1977, was elected metropolitan of Rupert’s Land in 1982 and elected Primate in 1986, serving in that capacity until his retirement in 2004.
“It was a great satisfaction to record information about people who had been friends and colleagues for the 50 years or so that I’ve been ordained,” said Archbishop Peers. Over two years he painstakingly researched their histories by writing and speaking to many of them across Canada.
At the General Synod archives Archbishop Peers worked closely with assistant archivist Laurel Parson and archivist Nancy Hurn. On the publishing end, Jane Thornton provided design expertise and Janet Thomas coordinated the editing and production.