Archdeacon receives honorary doctorate

The executive archdeacon of the Anglican diocese of New Westminster, Douglas Fenton, has been conferred an honorary doctor of divinity by St. John’s College, in the campus of the University of Manitoba.

“A gift he brings to our church is his excellent leadership with congregation development, youth ministry and development of leaders within the church,” said an official announcement issued by the warden and vice-chancellor of St. John’s College, Christopher Trott. “His experience in the wider church gives him a unique worldview within the church and his willingness to share this makes him stand out as a church leader.”

A graduate of St. John’s College, Fenton was chaplain and dean of residence at St. John’s between 1988 and 1995. He later served as a parish priest in the church and was responsible for the Young Adult and Higher Education Ministries in The Episcopal Church.

As executive archdeacon, Fenton assists the bishop in carrying out the Episcopal office by managing the diocesan office, co-ordinating clergy appointments and assisting parishes in finding clergy, and co-ordinating the discernment and ordination process for clergy, among other responsibilities.