Saskatchewan
anglican
The newspaper of the Dioceses of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon and Qu’Appelle • A Section of the Anglican Journal • January 2019
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Saskatoon has a new bishop Christopher Anthony Harper ordained and installed as 13th Bishop of Saskatoon By Rev. Peter Coolen
Welcome to the new bishop
The Right Rev. Chris Harper honours the four directions while wrapped in a star blanket after being installed as the 13th bishop of the Diocese of Saskatoon. For more pictures see page 8. Photo submitted
SASKATOON — The Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, Saskatoon was alive and full, with the scent of sweetgrass filling the air and indigenous singing and drumming echoing off the walls as clergy, bishops, archbishops, the Primate, civic leaders, representatives of other faiths and diocesan members assembled to joyfully accept and acclaim bishop-elect Christopher Anthony Harper as new bishop at his ordination and installation. The service began with a procession of diocesan and visiting clergy, bishops and archbishops into the cathedral, smudging at the door as they entered. Presiding celebrant and chief consecrator was the Metropolitan, the Most Rev. Greg Kerr-Wilson; the Right Rev. Michael Hawkins, Bishop of Saskatchewan, gave the homily. Special music for the service was provided by a diocesan-wide choir, the indigenous St. George’s drum circle and by Mr. Bluejay Linklater. Following the Apostolic Greeting by the archbishop and the readings — which included a reading from Ezekiel 34:11-16 in Plains Cree by Ethel Ahenakew — Bishop Hawkins provided a sermon emphasizing that, as a member of the Onion Lake Cree Nation and a long-time resident of Saskatchewan, Harper was coming home and that he, as bishop, would need support in leading, building and supporting the diocese and in his ministry, by the involvement of everyone in the diocese, as they exercise their own ministry to live and spread the Gospel. Following the sermon, Harper was presented by diocesan clergy and laity to the Metropolitan and
the assembled bishops and Primate for examination, ordination, consecration and vesting. During vesting, Linklater drummed and chanted an honour song. Harper was presented with his episcopal ring, pectoral cross, cope and mitre. The Primate, the Most Rev. Fred Hiltz, gave oil stock, and the Metropolitan presented the Bible and pastoral staff, after which he presented the new bishop to excited acclaim and applause by those present. Following the peace and celebration of the Great Thanksgiving, Bishop Christopher went outside, knocked on the door with his staff and was welcomed by the Dean, the chancellor and cathedral wardens, who escorted him to the bishop’s throne, seated and installed him. The Dean then gave Bishop Christopher the diocesan crozier and presented him to everyone. Following the formalities, blankets were presented to Bishop Harper and his wife, Tracey, on behalf of Chief Henry Lewis, Onion Lake Cree Nation Treaty 6 Territory; a letter of congratulations on behalf of Wycliffe College was presented by the Ven. Peter Boote; flowers were presented to Tracey by Sarah Donnelly on behalf of the women of the diocese; and a star blanket, tobacco and an eagle feather were presented to the bishop by Ahenakew and the Reverends Emily Carr and Denise McCafferty on behalf of the Indigenous community at St. George’s Anglican, Saskatoon. An honour song was sung, as the bishop, cloaked in the star blanket, honoured the four directions. Bishop Christopher then blessed the gathering. The ordination and installation were Nov. 17.