Slideshow image

November 30, 2017, (St.Andrew's Day) marks four years since the then - Reverend Canon Melissa M. Skelton of the Episcopal Diocese of Olympia was elected the 9th Bishop of the Diocese of New Westminster.

The third ballot was called at 1:41pm on Saturday, November 30, 2013, the day which happened to be the 37th Anniversary of the ordination of women to the priesthood in the Anglican Church of Canada.

With four nominees remaining on the ballot the results showed that the Reverend Canon Melissa Skelton had received a substantial majority of votes from both houses, clergy and lay. Clergy: 81 of 119 and Lay: 126 of 173 

After the results were learned, the Metropolitan of the Ecclesiastical Province of BC and Yukon, Archbishop John Privett contacted the other four bishops of the Provincial House of Bishops and there was a concurrence of the Provincial House.

The announcement was made at 2:20pm.

Then-Canon Skelton was consecrated and ordained Bishop on St. David's Day, March 1, 2014 during Eucharist at the Vancouver Convention Centre and was installed later that day at Christ Church Cathedral, Vancouver.

Happy Election Anniversary to Bishop Skelton and to everyone in the diocese, the national church and the Anglican Communion.