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Diocese of Niagara elects new bishop

Posted on June 5, 2007 by Kendall Harmon

Archdeacon Michael Bird, 49, a married father of three whose interests include curling and playing the bagpipes, on June 2 was elected bishop of the diocese of Niagara.

He was elected on the fifth ballot at an episcopal election synod held at Christ’s Church Cathedral in Hamilton, Ont., the diocese’s see city. On the final ballot, he received 71 out of 110 clergy votes and 149 out of 243 lay votes, according to synod officials. The election lasted four hours and started with a slate of 12 candidates.

Bishop-elect Bird’s consecration as new bishop has been set for Sept. 30. He will succeed Bishop Ralph Spence, who has announced he intends to retire at the end of February, 2008.

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Posted in * Anglican - Episcopal, - Anglican: Latest News, Anglican Church of Canada, Anglican Provinces

5 comments on “Diocese of Niagara elects new bishop”

  1. DeeBee says:
    June 5, 2007 at 9:52 pm

    Archdeacon Michael Bird, . . . whose interests include curling and playing the bagpipes . . .

    Now, THOSE are neat hobbies you don’t see everyday . . . 😉

    Bishop-elect Bird’s consecration as new bishop has been set for Sept. 30.

    So – I wonder what it’ll be like to change organizations after just a few days on the job?

    Reflecting on a planning process called “The New Niagara,” he wrote that “it is clear that our diocese is being called to be a ‘hope-filled’ community of loving relationships. In preparation for my role as a delegate to General Synod, I am particularly reflecting upon the meaning of such words as inclusiveness, communion and unity as they relate to the fulfilling of our baptismal covenant and as they proclaim the life and message of Jesus Christ.”

    One of his objectives, he wrote, is “to continue to explore and strive for a better understanding of the context and society in which we are called to be the body of Christ and to find and encourage fresh expressions of church life that will be compelling and meaningful to the people of this generation, particularly young people.”

    Uh oh. There appear to be several code words buried in here. Anyone else care to unpack them?

  2. Mithrax+ says:
    June 5, 2007 at 10:59 pm

    Just to answer some of DeeBee’s comments.

    The “New Niagara” process was a poor attempt to revision the diocese. Nothing came out of it, but it was still being flogged as a new vision (that said little, and had very little substance behind that) by +Spence when I left that diocese. The code words are pretty much the only thing the “New Niagara” process says.

    I know Bp. Elect Bird, and I have to say that electing him was an excellent choice. He’s go an unenviable job in a Diocese with lots of problems, but he’s quiet, dedicated and loves the Church as a whole.

    Also, DeeBee, remember that we aren’t bound by the Sept. 30th date in Canada. Our lemmings are probably going to jump off the cliff in 3 weeks anyways 😛 We’ll probably give TEC’s HoB a nice soft landing when they take the plunge too 😛

  3. Connecticutian says:
    June 5, 2007 at 11:16 pm

    …whose interests include curling and playing the bagpipes…

    What was that proscription against consecrating bishops whose manner of life would pose a problem? Does this fit? 😛

  4. Bill in Ottawa says:
    June 6, 2007 at 2:20 am

    Not in Canada. Curling is the largest sport in Canada with over 2 million participants, most of whom are adults.

    Bagpipes are also much more common up here. There are as many pipe bands as marching bands. However, double reed instrument do seem to affect cognitive processes, from what I’ve observed.

  5. Scotsreb says:
    June 6, 2007 at 10:59 pm

    #4, so true, as the ability to gie it a guid blaw, often has resulted in a substantial increase in IQ …. unless of course, yer a sassenach.