Mark MacDonald (bishop) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mark MacDonald |
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|---|---|
| Former National Indigenous Anglican Archbishop | |
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| Church | Anglican Church of Canada |
| In Office | 2007–2022 |
| Successor | Chris Harper |
| Other posts | WCC President for North America (2013–present) Bishop of Alaska, Episcopal Church (1997–2007) |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | 1 August 1979 |
| Consecration | 13 September 1997 by Edmond L. Browning |
| Personal details | |
| Birth name | Mark Lawrence MacDonald |
| Born | 15 January 1954 |
| Denomination | Anglicanism |
Mark Lawrence MacDonald (born January 15, 1954) is a former Anglican bishop who served in both the United States and Canada. From 2007 to 2022, he held an important position as the National Indigenous Anglican Bishop for the Anglican Church of Canada. In this role, he provided leadership and support to Indigenous Anglicans across Canada. He concluded his ministry in April 2022. Before this, MacDonald also served as the Bishop of Alaska in the Episcopal Church from 1997 to 2007.
Contents
Mark MacDonald's Ministry
Serving as a Bishop
Mark MacDonald became a bishop on September 13, 1997. From 1997 to 2007, he was the Bishop of Alaska in the Episcopal Church. In 2006, he was also named an assistant bishop for the Navajoland Area Mission. He held this role at the same time as his Canadian bishop position until 2009.
Leading Indigenous Anglicans
In January 2007, it was announced that MacDonald would become the first National Indigenous Anglican Bishop in the Anglican Church of Canada. He officially started this role on June 22, 2007. His position was later changed to an archbishopric in 2019, which is a higher leadership role. From 2013, he also served as the president for North America for the World Council of Churches (WCC).
Personal Life and Heritage
On November 11, 1989, Mark MacDonald married Virginia Sha Lynn. They have three children together: two daughters and one son. MacDonald is considered a non-status Indian in Canada. He has Indigenous ancestry from both his parents.
Awards and Recognition
In February 2013, MacDonald received the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal. This award recognized his "spiritual leadership while serving Aboriginal communities" and his work in raising awareness about the environment in Canada. In March 2022, he was given the Archbishop of Canterbury's Cross of St Augustine. This honor was for his "outstanding service" in helping the church care for creation and address climate justice, especially by including the voices of Indigenous peoples.
