Anglicans elect two new bishops in Arctic Diocese

SEAN MCKIBBON
Nunatsiaq News

:IQALUIT — Anglican clergy and lay people have picked two men to share the work load of diocesan bishop Chris Williams and sufraggan bishop Paul Idlout.

Rev. Andrew Atagotaaluk of Inukjuak and Rev. Larry Robertson of Inuvik were elected as regional bishops by the tenth Synod of the Arctic Diocese. The two Anglican priests will be consecrated as bishops in a ceremony this Sunday at St. Jude’s Cathedral.

Atagotaaluk, who has been out of the parish ministry for the last eight year will be a regional bishop for Nunavik, while Robertson, currently a minister in Inuvik will be bishop for the western arctic. Atagotaaluk hasn’t worked as a parish priest for the last eight years.

Both ministers will function as parish priests in their respective communities in addition to their new responsibilities.

Atagotaaluk was elected on the first ballot, and Robertson was elected on the second.

Also on the ballot for the position of regional bishop for the western arctic was Haydn Schofield. Nunavik had three candidates including Atagotaaluk, Benjamin Arreak of Kuujjuaq and Iola Metuq of Inukjuak.

Rt. Rev. Chris Williams would not release the results of each ballot.