The Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island has appointed two new Honorary Canons of the Cathedral Church of All Saints, Halifax. At a special service on Friday, May 26th in the Cathedral, the Right Reverend Sandra Fyfe installed and then asked The Very Reverend Paul Smith, Dean, to seat The Honourable Dr. Mayann Francis, O.N.S., and Reverend Edward (Ted) Morgan as Honorary Canons.
The Honourable Dr. Francis will become the first non-ordained person to be appointed a Canon of the Cathedral and the first person of African descent, lay or ordained, to hold that role and title. She will offer the sermon at Friday night’s service. Originally from Whitney Pier in Cape Breton, The Honourable Dr. Francis served as Lieutenant Governor for the province of Nova Scotia from 2006-2012 and was the first African Nova Scotian and second woman to be appointed as the vice regal representative. She was the first vice-regal representative to grant the Royal Prerogative of Mercy, Free Pardon in the history of Canada, which was conferred posthumously on Nova Scotia entrepreneur and civil rights pioneer Viola Desmond. The Honourable Dr. Francis is being recognized for her pioneering work in advancing diversity and racial and gender equality as a human rights advocate and for her continuing contributions to the work and ministry of the Cathedral. An active Anglican and a person of deep faith, she has offered visionary leadership to the Cathedral as Dean’s Warden and member of Cathedral Council, and to a variety of governmental departments and agencies and non-profit organizations and institutions. She holds seven Honorary degrees and an Honorary Diploma from the Nova Scotia Community College and is a member of the Order of Nova Scotia.
Reverend Ted Morgan served as Rector of the Parish of St. Paul’s, Charlottetown, from 1984 to 2003, and as a longstanding Archdeacon to the clergy and people of both Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island. He is being recognized for his role in spearheading new models of ministry, his leadership in promoting liturgical renewal, spiritual growth, and stewardship, and for his contributions to the Anglican Church on Prince Edward Island through the Diocesan Church Society, the Diocese of Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island, and to the Anglican Church of Canada. Reverend Morgan also served on the Task Force on the Relationship between Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island that led to Prince Edward Island becoming formally acknowledged as part of the Diocese of Nova Scotia in 1984. He has been a faithful and respected ordained leader on the Island, where he continues to make his home with his wife Carol and serves as an Honorary Assistant to St. Paul’s.
Honorary Canons preach and assist in the worship services of the Cathedral Church of All Saints. They are called to promote the good works of the Cathedral Church and the Diocese in word and action.
