Anglican Foundation will have interim director

Archbishop Andrew Hutchison, primate of the Anglican Church of Canada, said he has appointed Canon Gordon Baker as acting executive director of the Anglican Foundation, following the death of Canon John Erb.

In a letter to members of the foundation’s board, dated Aug. 22, Archbishop Hutchison said the part-time appointment is subject to confirmation by the board at its next meeting, set for Oct. 21. Mr. Baker, who is 77, served as director of the foundation from 1991 to 1997 and in this interim post is expected to be at the foundation’s office in Toronto two days per week.

“The death of (Mr.) Erb leaves an enormous hole in the life and leadership of the Anglican Foundation. At our next board meeting, we will consider both the mandate for a new executive director and the selection process leading to a new appointment,” Archbishop Hutchison wrote in his letter.

Mr. Baker’s appointment “will assure that applications (for grants and loans) continue to be processed,” said Archbishop Hutchison, who is also chair of the board. The foundation distributes about $850,000 annually to support church renovations, bursaries for theological students, religious art and other projects.

Mr. Erb, who was 72, died July 31 of Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease, a rare disorder that destroys brain tissue. Formerly of robust health, he was diagnosed in mid-July and the disease progressed rapidly. 

Mr. Baker was most recently book reviews editor of the Anglican Journal. He also served as editor from 1958 to 1967. He has also been principal of the College of Emmanuel and St. Chad in Saskatoon and rector of Anglican churches in Toronto, London and Uxbridge, all in Ontario.