Oulton to resign as bishop of Ontario

Bishop Michael Oulton has announced plans to resign as bishop of Ontario, making way for his successor to attend the next diocesan synod and General Synod.

In a Jan. 6 letter to the diocese of Ontario, Oulton said he had informed Archbishop Anne Germond, metropolitan of the ecclesiastical province of Ontario, about his intention to resign upon the installation of the next diocesan bishop and asked Germond to begin the process of convening an electoral synod.

“A new year inevitably brings with it a time for reflection and the possibility of new beginnings … It has been an immense privilege and honour to serve the people of our diocese over these years, but after prayer and reflection, I believe the time has come for new episcopal leadership,” Oulton said.

Oulton told the Journal he was not retiring from church work and would discern his next steps after a few weeks of vacation following the installation of his successor.

As of press time a tentative date of April 29 had been set for the episcopal election, subject to concurrence of the synod council, which would allow the bishop-elect to attend the diocesan synod May 26-28.

Consecration of the new bishop would follow on June 24, the Feast of John the Baptist. Oulton’s successor could then be present for General Synod in Calgary June 27-July 2 as the new diocesan bishop.

Oulton was installed as the bishop of Ontario in September 2011. He previously served as a priest at parishes in the diocese of Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island before transferring to Ontario in 1997, where he served as a priest and regional dean.