Overview How Does the Search Committee Function? Search Committee: Creating the Profile Search Committee: Proposals for Nominations Nominations for Bishop: Forms Nominations for Bishop: Two Provisions Search Committee: Assessing Proposals Search Committee: Info for Members of Synod Who Can Vote at an Electoral Synod? Help Discern Who Should Be The Next Bishop

The first major part of the Search Committee’s job is to create the diocesan profile, otherwise known as "the form of memorandum." Along with a full description of the diocese, this includes a set of "local requirements," which are the qualities and skills needed at this time in the Edmonton diocese, based on input collected in March from parishes, ministry groups and individuals across the diocese. 

When it comes to assessing candidates whose names have been put forward, the search committee uses this set of local requirements as well as those outlined in the constitution of the Ecclesiastical Province of Rupert’s Land. The constitution says each candidate in an episcopal election must be able to show that he or she:

(a)  is of the full age of thirty years;
(b)  is a priest or bishop in Holy Orders of The Anglican Church of Canada, or of a church in full communion therewith;
(c)  is faithful in the doctrines and discipline of The Anglican Church of Canada as determined and defined by the official formularies of that church;
(d)  is known and recognized within that person's community as being a person of integrity and moral stature; and
(e)  has those qualities and abilities of leadership, experience and learning that will enable that person to fulfil the duties of a chief pastor in the Church of God.

There are no limitations on the nature of the local requirements the search committee may adopt. They will carefully consider the situation of the diocese and the specific qualities required for our bishop in this time and place. They must make very clear the criteria they will use to assess proposed nominees.

The form of memorandum must be delivered to the Administrator (Dean Alex Meek) no later than April 22, 2021. It will ultimately be sent to members of synod (clergy and laity from each parish who will be delegates to the electoral synod), to members of the Provincial House of Bishops with the expectation that they may make proposals for nominations, and to anyone else the search committee wishes to contact to seek out proposals for nominations.