Bishop of the Arctic to be installed on Sunday

Iqaluit’s Anglican community will witness history in the making at their church this Sunday.

Bishop Andrew Atagotaaluk, the first Inuk to lead the Diocese of the Arctic, will be installed during a ceremony on Sept. 15.

Bishops from the High Arctic, Nunavik, the Northwest Territories and southern Canada will attend the service, to be held at St. Judes Anglican Church at 10 a.m.

“The service on Sunday is history. It’s Canadian history,” said Captain Ron McLean.

During a Synod in May, bishops elected Atagotaaluk to head up the Arctic Diocese. The election was held after the head bishop, Chris Williams, announced his retirement.

Before taking on this position, Atagotaaluk was the regional bishop for Nunavik. Bishop Benjamin Arreak will become the new bishop for that region, and will be consecrated during Sunday’s service.

The ceremony is expected to draw about 500 people, 200 of whom will be from out of town. Because the small church can’t accommodate that many people, a television will be set up in the parish hall to broadcast the church service.