Anglican Communion News Service

Archbishop Finlay, as he will now be known, will remain the diocesan bishop of Toronto, carrying the title of Metropolitan of Ontario and Archbishop of Toronto. The ecclesiastical Province of Ontario includes the dioceses of Algoma, Huron, Moosonee, Niagara, Ontario, Ottawa and Toronto.

"I am very impressed with the variety of creative ministry being undertaken by many gifted people throughout the province," he said after his election at Provincial Synod, held last month in Huntsville. "The Anglican Church in Canada is facing very serious challenges. My new position will enable me to bring together my provincial colleagues so that we can meet these challenges responsibly and compassionately."

His duties as Metropolitan will include chairing Provincial Synod, chairing the Provincial House of Bishops and speaking on behalf of the seven dioceses of the ecclesiastical Province of Ontario. In addition, he has pastoral responsibilities for the bishops of the province.

Archbishop Finlay succeeds Archbishop Percy O'Driscoll of the Diocese of Huron, who retired on November 1.