Archbishop & Primate Linda Nicholls announces plans to retire in September 2024
Archbishop Linda Nicholls, Primate of the Anglican Church of Canada, has announced that she will step down from her role on September 15, 2024.
The canons of the Anglican Church of Canada require primates to retire upon reaching their 70th birthday. Archbishop Nicholls will reach mandatory retirement age in October.
Archbishop Nicholls was elected as the 14th Primate of the Anglican Church of Canada on July 13, 2019. She was the first woman to hold the office in Canada and only the second in the Anglican Communion.
A message to the Anglican Church of Canada
In the fall of 2024 I will complete thirty-nine years of ordained ministry in the Anglican Church of Canada. Although it had been my hope to continue until General Synod 2025, I will also reach our mandatory retirement age. I have therefore written to the Senior Metropolitan, Archbishop Anne Germond, to offer my resignation as of September 15, 2024.
When I began ordained ministry I had no idea of the adventures and privilege that lay ahead of me serving as a deacon and priest in three parishes; in the national office in the Faith, Worship & ministry department; as a suffragan bishop in the Diocese of Toronto; as diocesan bishop of the Diocese of Huron and, in these past nearly five years, as Primate of the Anglican Church of Canada.
The greatest joy has been to share in the relationship between God and God’s people through pastoral care, preaching, teaching and sacramental ministries and advocate for justice and compassion for all. To see God at work bringing healing and hope in the midst of the sorrows, pain and joy of daily life for individuals, families, communities and our wider world is a privilege that cannot be measured. I have also delighted in bringing the voice of the wider church – across Canada and the world – into parishes and dioceses through being present on Zoom or in person in travelling coast to coast.
Initially, after retirement, time for rest without the responsibilities of leadership will be welcome. Then I will enjoy walking with God’s people, not as a leader, but as a friend, teacher and mentor alongside opportunities that allow my soul to sing – literally and figuratively.
Thank you for the privilege of serving our beloved church. Thank you for your prayers, care and support through the good times and the difficult ones.
May God grant us all courage to confess Jesus Christ as Lord
and to proclaim with joy the good news of the Gospel wherever we may be!
Thanks be to God,
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!!
The Most Rev. Linda Nicholls
Archbishop & Primate
Process of succession to position of Acting Primate
On April 2, the Prolocutor and Deputy Prolocutor wrote a memorandum to the House of Bishops and Council of General Synod outlining the process of succession to the position of Acting Primate of the Anglican Church of Canada. The text of the memorandum is as follows:
As the senior officers of General Synod, we felt it appropriate for us to share as widely as possible, in a timely fashion, what is known about the process of succession to the position of Acting Primate of the Anglican Church of Canada.
Canon III, the canon on the Primate, requires the Primate to retire upon reaching their seventieth birthday, which the present Primate, Archbishop Linda Nicholls, will do this October. This canon also provides for the appointment of an Acting Primate, who shall be “the Provincial Metropolitan senior by election, able and willing to act.”
The Chancellor has been asked for, and has provided, an opinion on the interpretation of this part of the canon. That opinion is attached to this memorandum. In essence, it finds that Archbishop Anne Germond, Metropolitan of the Ecclesiastical Province of Ontario, is the senior Provincial Metropolitan, by virtue of having the longest current term of office.
Therefore, should Archbishop Linda announce a retirement date that is effective before a metropolitical election is held in the Province of Ontario, Archbishop Anne would become the Acting Primate – assuming she is willing and able to act. Moreover, she would continue in that role until the next primatial election, which is scheduled to take place in June, 2025.
The Chancellor’s letter indicates that the other Provincial Metropolitans concur in their desire to see Archbishop Anne become the Acting Primate. We are also informed that the National Indigenous Anglican Archbishop is aware of these consultations.
Our understanding of the next steps in this process is: first, that it is at Archbishop Linda’s discretion to choose when and how to announce her retirement date; and second, that it would then fall to Archbishop Anne to confirm whether she is, in the language of the canon, “able and willing to act.” We will ensure that these subsequent steps are communicated widely throughout the church, as and when they happen.
We ask your prayers for Archbishops Linda, Chris, Anne, the other Provincial Metropolitans, the officers and staff of the General Synod, and all those involved with and affected by this transition.
Christ is risen! The Lord is risen indeed, Alleluia!
Canon Ian Alexander, Prolocutor
Archdeacon Tanya Phibbs, Deputy Prolocutor
