Chris Harper (bishop) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids The Most Reverend Chris Harper |
|
|---|---|
| National Indigenous Anglican Archbishop | |
| Church | Anglican Church of Canada |
| In Office | 2023–present |
| Predecessor | Mark MacDonald |
| Other posts | Bishop of Saskatoon (2018–2023) |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | February 6, 2003 (diaconate) October 16, 2005 (priesthood) |
| Consecration | November 17, 2018 by Greg Kerr-Wilson |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Paradise Hill, Saskatchewan, Canada |
| Denomination | Anglicanism |
| Spouse | Tracy |
| Children | 2 |
| Education | Wycliffe College, Toronto (M.Div.) |
Christopher A. Harper is an important leader in the Anglican Church of Canada. He is a Cree person and a member of the Treaty 6 First Nations. Since 2023, he has been the National Indigenous Anglican Archbishop. Before that, he was the Bishop of Saskatoon from 2018 to 2023. He made history as the first priest from Treaty 6 territory to become a bishop.
About Chris Harper
Chris Harper was born in Paradise Hill, Saskatchewan. He spent much of his younger life on the Onion Lake Cree Nation. Before becoming a priest, he worked as an emergency medical technician. He also served as a lay minister in Onion Lake.
His Journey to Ministry
Harper studied theology at the Diocese of Saskatchewan's James Settee College. Later, he moved to Toronto to study at Wycliffe College. There, he earned his master of divinity degree. He became a priest in 2005. His first role was serving several churches in Saskatchewan. After that, he moved to a church in Thunder Bay.
Leadership Roles
In 2016, Harper was named the Indigenous Native Priest for the Diocese of Toronto. In this role, he helped churches work with First Nations people in their areas.
In 2018, Chris Harper was chosen to be the Bishop of Saskatoon. He officially became a bishop on November 17, 2018. This special ceremony took place at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist.
In December 2022, it was announced that Harper would take on a new role. He became the National Indigenous Anglican Archbishop. He also became the presiding elder of the church's Sacred Circle. He took over from Mark MacDonald.
Harper was a candidate for the role of Primate of the Anglican Church of Canada. This election happened in June 2025 during the General Synod. Shane Parker was elected for this position.
