Bishop

The Rt. Rev. Donald Phillips

12th Bishop of Rupert's Land

Donald Phillips was born, raised and educated in London, Ontario, Canada. He graduated with an Honours Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science degree in Inorganic Chemistry from the University of Western Ontario. This was followed by studies at Huron College (UWO) from which he graduated with a Master of Divinity with Honours in 1981. He was ordained deacon and priest in that same year for the Diocese of Athabasca by the Most Reverend Fred Crabb. He served parishes in Athabasca, Lac La Biche and Fort McMurray before moving to St. Michael and All Angels, Moose Jaw, in the Diocese of Qu’Appelle in 1987. From 1992 to 2000 he was involved in diocesan ministry in Qu’Appelle serving as Ministries Development Coordinator and later Executive Archdeacon. In 2000 he was elected as 12th Bishop of Rupert’s Land. A Doctor or Divinity degree was conferred on him in 2002 by Huron College.

For the past 15 years 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. He has presented at conferences and workshops in Canada, USA and Great Britain. He has been involved with the Living Stones Diocesan Partnership since 1993, serving as its chair from 1996-98. Using the DOTAC conference for deacons, that met in Winnipeg in 2002, as a catalyst, he formed the Diaconate Working Group to implement the restoration the diaconate in the Diocese of Rupert’s Land. In 2003 he led a review of the Non-Stipendiary Ordained Ministry program for the Diocese of Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island. Working with the Faculty of Theology of St. John’s College, University of Manitoba, he helped to launch the Diploma in Applied Theology programme, which prepares persons for ordained and non-ordained ministries. Since coming to the Diocese of Rupert’s Land he has placed a high priority on supporting the work of aboriginal Anglicans to address the needs of local aboriginal communities. In 2006 he began part-time postgraduate studies in christology at the University of Durham, UK.

Donald is married to Nancy, a registered nurse and adult educator. As a couple they were involved from 1990 to 2000 as Clergy Presenters in Anglican Marriage Encounter. They have two adult sons. He has a great love of music, has studied piano, and has sung in choirs and an a cappella quartet. He has developed a keen interest in physical fitness over the past 15 years and still teaches a step aerobics class at the downtown YMCA in Winnipeg.