Jane Alexander (Bishop)

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Jane Alexander is a bishop of the Anglican Church of Canada, and the current Bishop of Edmonton.^[1]. She was installed on May 11th, 2008 at All Saints' Anglican Cathedral^[2]. Until her consecration she served as Dean and Rector of All Saints' Cathedral. She is the first female Diocesan Bishop to succeed another female Diocesan Bishop in the Anglican Communion.

[edit] Early Life and Teaching Career

Alexander grew up in England. As a child she was forbidden from attending any religious classes at school by her father.^[3]. It was not until she was 25 that she was baptized with her eldest child into the Church of England^[2].

Alexander graduated from the Newcastle University in 1980 with a Bachelor of Arts with Honours, having done a thesis on English Liturgical Music from 1370 –1430^[1]. She then worked as a music teacher, eventually specializing in Special Education^[1].

After moving to Canada with her family in 1990 she earned a Master of Education in 1993, followed by a Ph.D. in Educational Psychology in 1996, both from the University of Alberta^[1]. She then worked as a professor in Educational Psychology at the University of Alberta.

[edit] Ministry

In 1998 Alexander was ordained a Deacon. She was ordained a Priest in 2001 after earned her Masters of Theological Studies from Newman Theological College, a private Roman Catholic Seminary. She worked at a number of parishes in the Diocese of Edmonton^[1]. In 2006 she was appointed Dean of All Saints' Cathedral in Edmonton^[1][4].

[edit] Episcopate

In 2007 Bishop Victoria Matthews resigned as Bishop of Edmonton, and Alexander became Diocesan Administrator in her capacity as Dean of the Diocese. She was elected Bishop on 8 March 2008 on the third ballot^[1]. Officials had been worried the election may gone on much longer, having pre-printed off eight ballots^[3].

Alexander was consecrated as a Bishop at All Saints' Cathedral and formally installed as Bishop of Edmonton in All Saints' Cathedral on 11 May 2008, Pentecost Sunday^[2].

On of Alexander's first acts as Bishop was state she would not bend the rules on the exchange of marital vows. "Basically, I'm a play-by-the-rules girl" she stated, further adding that the General Synod of the Anglican Church of Canada would revisit the issue in 2010^[2].

[edit] Consecrators

• The Most Rev. John Robert Clarke, Archbishop of Athabasca and Metropolitan of Rupert's Land
• Rt. Rev. Gregory Kerr-Wilson, 11th Bishop of Qu'Appelle
  • Formerly served as Dean of All Saints' Cathedral
• Rt. Rev. Victoria Matthews, Bishop-Elect of Christ Church
  • 9th Bishop of Edmonton

[edit] References

1. ^ ^{a b c d e f g} http://edmonton.anglican.org/
2. ^ ^{a b c d} http://www.canada.com/edmontonjournal/news/story.html?id=ef2374b4-3c33-4a71-a6e6-13a150735a7c
3. ^ ^{a b} http://www.canada.com/edmontonjournal/news/story.html?id=f9bf4b8e-4784-4dd8-b910-6f86ce744f94&k=25382
4. ^ http://www.kennair.org/KEF/files/messenger03-07.pdf