Cowan elected bishop

The diocese of British Columbia elected Archdeacon James Cowan, executive officer of the diocese and deputy prolocutor of the General Synod, as its 12th bishop.

While there were 16 candidates on the first ballot, Mr. Cowan was elected on the fifth ballot from a slate of five candidates to succeed Bishop Barry Jenks, who retired: Archdeacon Logan McMenamie (who had the next highest number of votes), Rev. Ronald Corcoran, Rev. Christopher Page and Archdeacon John Privett.

A native of Saskatchewan , Mr. Cowan has worked for the diocese since 1997. He received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Saskatoon and his master’s of divinity from Nashotah House, an Episcopal church seminary in Wisconsin . He served in parishes in Regina and Moose Jaw , Sask. , and helped re-establish an Anglican chaplaincy at the University of Regina . In recent years, he served as co-chair of the joint Anglican-Lutheran working group that brought about full communion between the Anglican and Lutheran churches in Canada .

Mr. Cowan, 52, and his wife, Annette, have two grown sons, Sean and Brent.

The election means that the Council of General Synod (CoGS), the legislative body of the Anglican Church of Canada, must elect a new deputy prolocutor ? an officer of General Synod ? when Mr. Cowan resigns. A bishop may not serve as deputy prolocutor. CoGS meets this month, but it is expected that Mr. Cowan will not step down from his office until after the meeting.

He will be installed as bishop on Jan. 25, 2004 , at Christ Church Cathedral, Victoria.