Bishop Ordinary Election

Anglican Military Ordinariate crest beside the words “Bishop Ordinary Election” on a purple background

The Anglican Military Ordinariate of Canada will elect its next Bishop Ordinary on June 23, 2026. Six candidates have been nominated for election. Learn more about each candidate by reviewing their profiles below.

On April 26, 2026, Archbishop Shane Parker, Primate of the Anglican Church of Canada) issued a call for nominations for Bishop Ordinary. The Bishop Ordinary serves as the spiritual head and pastor to members of the Anglican Church of Canada serving in the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF).

Nominations closed at 11:59 p.m. ET on Friday, May 15, 2026.

Nominees have been asked to submit written and video responses to the provided questions, along with a biography and current résumé.

A prayer for the election processes:

Almighty God, giver of all good gifts, look on your Church with grace, and guide the minds of those who shall choose a Bishop Ordinary that we may receive a faithful servant who will care for your people and support us in our ministries; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
(p. 676, The Book of Alternative Services)

Nominees

Portrait of a smiling clergy member with short white hair wearing a clerical collar and patterned scarf, seated near a stained glass window inside a church

Lieutenant-Commander (ret’d) the Rev’d Canon Jeannine Friesen

Portrait of a smiling clergy member with shoulder-length gray hair and glasses wearing a clerical collar and purple vestment against a light background

Commander the Venerable Jennifer Gosse-Vingerhoeds

Portrait of a clergy member with short gray hair and glasses wearing a clerical collar, seated in front of leaded church windows

Lieutenant-Colonel the Rev’d Canon James McCorriston

Portrait of a clergy member with gray hair, glasses, and a moustache wearing a clerical collar and black cassock, with stained glass windows in the background

Lieutenant-Commander (ret’d) the Rev’d Canon Robert Parker

Portrait of a clergy member with short dark hair and glasses wearing a clerical collar and dark jacket against a neutral studio background

Lieutenant-Colonel the Rev’d Canon Shawn Samson

Portrait of a smiling clergy member with glasses and a beard wearing a clerical collar and dark jacket, with framed certificates on the wall behind him

Major (ret’d) the Rev’d Canon Bradley Smith