Two new staff join national office

Archbishop Andrew Hutchison, the new primate of the Anglican Church of Canada, has announced the appointment of Archdeacon Paul Feheley of Trent-Durham, as his principal secretary.

“I’m absolutely excited and scared at the same time,” said Mr. Feheley in an interview. “But it’s a great privilege to work with the primate.” Mr. Feheley has been involved in parish work for the last 26 years and is also vice-president of Fidelity, a national organization of Anglicans who adhere to traditional religious teachings and are opposed to the ordination of gays and lesbians who are not celibate.

The principal secretary is responsible for assisting and providing pastoral support to the primate.

In his first message as primate, Archbishop Hutchison also announced that Peter Blachford has been chosen as treasurer of General Synod, the national office of the Anglican Church of Canada. He succeeds Jim Cullen who will retire July 30. Mr. Blachford was formerly the chief operating officer of KMH Cardiology and Diagnostic Centres in Mississauga, Ont.

Mr. Feheley and Archbishop Hutchison have known each other since the 1970s. Archbishop Hutchison, then a rector of St. Francis of Assisi church, Mississauga, had asked Mr. Feheley, then a theology student to help him in the parish. “That’s where our friendship began,” he said, adding that “Fr. Andy” as he called Archbishop Hutchison then, would later preach at his wedding. Archbishop Hutchison and his wife, Lois, also became godparents to his eldest son.

Mr. Feheley was formerly the incumbent at St. George’s Memorial Church and the regional dean in Oshawa. He has also chaired many committees involving the use of new media and communications and has served inner city, rural and suburban parishes. He and his wife, Judith, have two sons, Kevin and Bryan.