Aboriginal Bishop ordained at Moosonee Diocese

Tom Corston, of Chapleau Cree First Nation, was ordained as the new Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Moosonee July 5.
There were seven candidates in the election for a new bishop.
Anglican church leaders from across the province attended the event which was held at St. Anthony’s Roman Catholic Cathedral in Timmins to accommodate the large number of guests.
Archbishop Colin Johnson of the Metropolitan of the Ecclesiastical Province of Ontario held the service.
Corston is the ninth Anglican Bishop of Moosonee. He will oversee 26 Anglican parishes, including Timmins.
His territory extends from Geraldton in the west to Misitissini, Que., in the east, from Kashechewan and Chisasibi in the north to Chapleau and Gogama in the south. Within his diocese, there are 8,500 parishioners.
Prior to being named bishop, Corston was an archdeacon with the Diocese of Algoma and Sudbury.
He received numerous calls to put his name forward for consideration.
As a young boy sitting in his home church in Chapleau, Corston was already aware of a presence beyond himself.
“I can go into that building today and sit in the same pew and remember distinctly that childhood moment,” Corston wrote on his website.
During his time as bishop, Corston has a goal of forming a partnership to implement an Indigenous covenant he believes is vital for the future life of the diocese.
“Our Indigenous brothers and sisters have always had so much to teach us from their rich spiritual life and culture and it has been painful to see the church has sometimes taken so long to listen.
“I do know, however, within Moosonee diocese our shared ministry has always been a source of strength.”