Anglican church installs Inuk bishop to lead Arctic diocese

SARA ARNATSIAQ

Parishoners crowded into St. Jude’s Cathedral in Iqaluit on Sunday, as the Rt. Rev. Andrew Atagotaaluk was installed as the fifth bishop of the diocese of the Arctic, the first Inuk to hold the post, and Benjamin Arreak was consecrated as a bishop for Nunavik.
Family members and friends from Nunavut and Nunavik gathered in the igloo-shaped church to watch the three-hour ceremony.

When the church reached its capacity, a group of more than 45 people gathered in the parish hall to watch the event on a video monitor.

The Rt. Rev. Paul Idlout, dean of the Arctic diocese, and Alan Denroche, chancellor of the diocese, performed Atagotaaluk’s installation. After the ceremony, Atagotaaluk took his seat at the bishop’s chair.

“This morning we celebrate the fulfillment of a vision with the installation of Andrew Atagotaaluk as the first Inuk bishop,” said the Rt. Rev. Chris Williams in his sermon. Williams retired as bishop of the Arctic on Aug. 31.

“It is a journey with many pitfalls, and also one where you will walk on the mountain tops with soaring views,” he said.

The grandest part of the ceremony came during Arreak’s consecration. The bishops gathered to lay their hands on him, and the official declaration began.

He received the full garment of a bishop, a bright red cloak, a ring, a crucifix necklace, a holy bible and a staff to symbolize the office of the bishop.

Toward the end of the celebrations, Commissioner Peter Irniq gave a speech about the accomplishments of the two bishops. He said during the colonial times it was difficult to imagine Inuit taking on leadership roles.

He made a contrast between those old days and today.

Irniq said that the two men are role models for Inuit because their vision and dedication to the church is a symbol of perseverance.

The celebrations continued well into the afternoon with a feast at Inuksuk High School, where the men were given congratulations and gifts from members of their families and the community.

Atagotaaluk is now responsible for the largest Anglican diocese in the world, stretching from the Yukon to Labrador. He’ll be working closely with the three regional bishops.
He said that his new role will require him to make more decisions. It will also require more travel.

His family will continue to live in Salluit, but Atagotaaluk says he won’t be spending much time at home.

He is proud that Inuit have been increasingly taking on more roles and responsibilities, though he admits he was worried about taking on a new role. He was not concerned about people’s expectations, but about doing a good job.

He realized when the opportunity came that he could be an example to Inuit. “If this new role I’m taking on is seen as a positive step for Inuit and it encourages them to move forward, I knew that I had to step in and be that role model,” he said.

Arreak agreed that the new role is an honour: “The responsibilities are no longer just in the community. Now I have a regional responsibility where I will oversee the other reverends.”