The Rt. Rev. Donald Phillips
12th Bishop of Rupert’s Land
Donald Phillips was born, raised and educated in London, Ontario, Canada. He holds a Bachelor of Science, Honors and a Master of Science degree in Inorganic Chemistry from the University of Western Ontario, as well as a Honors Master of Divinity from Huron College. A Doctor of Divinity degree was conferred on him in 2002 by Huron College, and he is currently working on postgraduate studies in Christology at the University of Durham, UK.
In 1981, he was ordained deacon and priest in the Diocese of Athabasca by the Most Reverend Fred Crabb. He served in parish ministry in the Diocese of Athabasca and the Diocese of Qu’Appelle and as Ministries Development Coordinator and Executive Archdeacon in the Diocese of Qu’Appelle. In 2000 he was elected as the 12th Bishop of Rupert’s Land.
He has been interested in the development of new forms of local ministry with an emphasis on the priority of the ministry of the laos. This has seen the growth and development of Local Collaborative Ministry in the Diocese of Rupert’s Land. Under his leadership the diaconate has been restored in the Diocese. Working with the Faculty of Theology of St. John’s College, University of Manitoba, he helped to launch the Diploma in Applied Theology progrmme, which prepares persons for ordained and non-ordained ministries. He has placed a high priority on supporting the work of aboriginal Anglicans to address the needs of local aboriginal communities.
He writes a monthly article in the Rupert’s Land News, has a great love of music, and a keen interest in physical fitness, teaching a step aerobics class at the downtown YMCA in Winnipeg. He is married to Nancy, a registered nurse and adult educator and contributor to the Rupert’s Land News and monthly parish mailing with The Other Side of the Pulpit. They have two adult sons.