Fred Hiltz
Encyclopedia
Frederick James "Fred" Hiltz (born 1954) is the current Primate of the Anglican Church of Canada
.
Hiltz was born in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia where he was also raised. He earned his Bachelor of Science
degree at Dalhousie University
in 1975 (major in biology) and obtained his Master of Divinity
degree at the Atlantic School of Theology
in 1978. He received an honorary doctoral Doctor of Divinity
degree from the University of King's College
, Halifax
in 2002. He was ordained a deacon on June 3, 1977, and a priest on June 29, 1978.
Hiltz served in a number of parishes within the Diocese of Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island: Christ Church, Sydney; Melford-Guysborough; Timberlea-Lakeside; The Cathedral Church of All Saints, Halifax; and St. John’s Church, Lunenburg.
Hiltz was elected suffragan (assistant, but without an automatic right of succession) bishop of the Diocese of Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island in 1994 and consecrated bishop the following year. He became diocesan bishop in 2002. Since 2006 he has served as Anglican co-chair of the Anglican-Lutheran International Commission.
Hiltz was elected Primate on June 22, 2007, and installed as the 13th primate on June 25. The Guardian
newspaper described him as a liberal-leaning bishop. He is considered a moderate theological liberal, taking pro-life stances on abortion, euthanasia and the death penalty. He supports and voted in favour of the blessing of same-sex unions at the 2007 General Synod that elected him.
Hiltz has described his hobbies as the care of animals (two Labrador retrievers and a cat), reading, gardening and woodworking. He is married to his wife of 30 years, Lynne Samways Hiltz. They have one son, Nathan (age 26 ), who is a jazz guitarist and music teacher in Toronto. In recent years Hiltz has undertaken a televised joint Christmas message with the National Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada, carrying into greater fulfillment past declarations of Anglican-Lutheran solidarity.
In October 2009, he was reportedly dismayed by Pope Benedict XVI's invitation to welcome groups of disaffected Anglicans into the Roman Catholic Church
.
Primate of the Anglican Church of Canada
The Primate of the Anglican Church of Canada is elected by the General Synod of the Church from among a list of five bishops nominated by the House of Bishops...
.
Hiltz was born in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia where he was also raised. He earned his Bachelor of Science
Bachelor of Science
A Bachelor of Science is an undergraduate academic degree awarded for completed courses that generally last three to five years .-Australia:In Australia, the BSc is a 3 year degree, offered from 1st year on...
degree at Dalhousie University
Dalhousie University
Dalhousie University is a public research university located in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. The university comprises eleven faculties including Schulich School of Law and Dalhousie University Faculty of Medicine. It also includes the faculties of architecture, planning and engineering located at...
in 1975 (major in biology) and obtained his Master of Divinity
Master of Divinity
In the academic study of theology, the Master of Divinity is the first professional degree of the pastoral profession in North America...
degree at the Atlantic School of Theology
Atlantic School of Theology
The Atlantic School of Theology is a Canadian ecumenical university which provides "graduate level theological education and research, and in formation for Christian ministries, lay and ordained, in church and society, primarily in Atlantic Canada". It is located in Halifax, Nova Scotia and its...
in 1978. He received an honorary doctoral Doctor of Divinity
Doctor of Divinity
Doctor of Divinity is an advanced academic degree in divinity. Historically, it identified one who had been licensed by a university to teach Christian theology or related religious subjects....
degree from the University of King's College
University of King's College
The University of King's College is a post-secondary institution in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. King's is a small liberal arts university offering mainly undergraduate programs....
, Halifax
City of Halifax
Halifax is a city in Canada, which was the capital of the province of Nova Scotia and shire town of Halifax County. It was the largest city in Atlantic Canada until it was amalgamated into Halifax Regional Municipality in 1996...
in 2002. He was ordained a deacon on June 3, 1977, and a priest on June 29, 1978.
Hiltz served in a number of parishes within the Diocese of Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island: Christ Church, Sydney; Melford-Guysborough; Timberlea-Lakeside; The Cathedral Church of All Saints, Halifax; and St. John’s Church, Lunenburg.
Hiltz was elected suffragan (assistant, but without an automatic right of succession) bishop of the Diocese of Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island in 1994 and consecrated bishop the following year. He became diocesan bishop in 2002. Since 2006 he has served as Anglican co-chair of the Anglican-Lutheran International Commission.
Hiltz was elected Primate on June 22, 2007, and installed as the 13th primate on June 25. The Guardian
The Guardian
The Guardian, formerly known as The Manchester Guardian , is a British national daily newspaper in the Berliner format...
newspaper described him as a liberal-leaning bishop. He is considered a moderate theological liberal, taking pro-life stances on abortion, euthanasia and the death penalty. He supports and voted in favour of the blessing of same-sex unions at the 2007 General Synod that elected him.
Hiltz has described his hobbies as the care of animals (two Labrador retrievers and a cat), reading, gardening and woodworking. He is married to his wife of 30 years, Lynne Samways Hiltz. They have one son, Nathan (age 26 ), who is a jazz guitarist and music teacher in Toronto. In recent years Hiltz has undertaken a televised joint Christmas message with the National Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada, carrying into greater fulfillment past declarations of Anglican-Lutheran solidarity.
In October 2009, he was reportedly dismayed by Pope Benedict XVI's invitation to welcome groups of disaffected Anglicans into the Roman Catholic Church
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
.