Richmond Hill, Ont.
The current deputy prolocutor and a facilitator in the School for Congregational Development in the diocese of New Westminster have been elected the new prolocutor and deputy prolocutor, respectively, of General Synod for the next three years.
Deputy prolocutor Cynthia Haines-Turner, of the diocese of Western Newfoundland, was elected prolocutor Friday, July 8 at General Synod. Running against Archdeacon Alan Perry, of the diocese of Edmonton, and Dean Peter Wall, of the diocese of Niagara, Haines-Turner won 115 votes cast on the first ballot. Since this was more than 50% of the total 201 votes cast, the election did not go to a second ballot.
Haines-Turner has served as deputy prolocutor since 2013. She brings considerable experience to her new role, Archbishop Fred Hiltz, primate of the Anglican Church of Canada, said after her election. When current prolocutor Harry Huskins had recently suffered from ill health, Hiltz said, “Cynthia was just right there to be his partner” and ensured that necessary work was completed.
Haines-Turner has served on numerous church committees and working groups at various levels, including the national governance working group and planning and agenda team, according to nomination information filed for General Synod. Her experience as a member of Council of General Synod (CoGS) goes back to 1995.
Elected as deputy prolocutor was Archdeacon Lynn McNaughton, of the diocese of New Westminster. Running against Perry and Wall as well as Canon Robert Towler, of the diocese of Huron, McNaughton was elected on the third ballot, receiving 112 votes of 207 cast.
McNaughton served as priest in three parishes after being ordained in the diocese of New Westminster in 1986, and was director of Anglican formation at the Vancouver School of Theology for 13 years, according to her nomination information. She is priest at St. Clement’s, North Vancouver, works as facilitator at the diocese’s School for Congregational Development, and has also served as an Anglican delegate on the dialogue of the Anglican Church of Canada with the United Church of Canada.
The prolocutor is the second-highest elected official in the Anglican Church of Canada after the primate, and serves as an alternative chair to the primate at meetings of General Synod and CoGS.
Editor’s Note: This story has been updated to include more information about Archdeacon Lynne McNaughton.
