Dear friends in Christ,

On Wednesday March 26th, 2025 clergy and lay delegates from the Diocese of Moosonee held an electoral synod at Holy Trinity Parish in Cochrane. Following the celebration of Holy Eucharist at which the Metropolitan presided and her Commissary Archbishop Fred Hiltz preached, the Synod did duly elect Rev. Rodney BrantFrancis to be their 12th Bishop on the first ballot.

As is the custom in the Province of Ontario, all of the Bishops are asked to give their concurrence to an episcopal election. This has taken place and therefore the election is confirmed.

God-willing, Bishop-elect Rodney will be consecrated and seated as Bishop of Moosonee on Wednesday May 28th at St. Mathew’s Cathedral in Timmins. The service of Holy Eucharist and Consecration will take place at 11am. All welcome!

We pray for Bishop-elect Rod and his spouse Lisa as they prepare to assume this new role and ministry, and we pray for the whole people of God in the Diocese of Moosonee as they prepare to welcome their new bishop.

Upon Bishop-elect Rodney’s consecration and installation, Moosonee will cease to be a Mission Area of the Ecclesiastical Province of Ontario with the Metropolitan serving as diocesan bishop, and become a diocese in its own right once more.

Archbishop Anne is immensely grateful for the hard work of the Search and Nominations Committee, for the willingness of Bishop-elect Rod and Canon Tom Stradwick in allowing their names to go forward for election, and to Archbishop Fred Hiltz for his unwavering support and commitment to Moosonee as he has served over the last six years as Assisting Bishop of Moosonee and in the last seven months as Commissary.

Congratulations Bishop-elect Rod!

From the Diocese of Ontario’s website:

“Rod has been the incumbent of the Parish of Tyendinaga in the Diocese of Ontario since 2016 where he ministers to the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte along with his wife, Priest Associate Rev. Lisa BrantFrancis.

Rod previously served in the Diocese of Moosonee from 2006-2016 before coming to the Diocese of Ontario. He was commissioned in the Church Army in 1994 and ordained a deacon in the Anglican Church in 2006 and priested in 2007 in the Diocese of Moosonee.

Rod’s election as bishop is a testament to his tireless efforts and the deep respect he commands among his peers.

His vision, compassion, and steadfast faith will undoubtedly guide the Diocese of Moosonee towards a future ministering to all baptized Christians, fostering diocesan development and spiritual growth and stewardship, and commitment to walking in partnership for the implementation of the Indigenous Covenant.”

Yours in the hope and peace of Christ,

The Most Rev. Anne Germond
Bishop of Algoma and Moosonee
Metropolitan of the Ecclesiastical Province of Ontario