Our Bishop: The Right Reverend Barry B. Clarke

The 11th Bishop of Montreal, Barry B. Clarke was consecrated and installed on October 14th, 2004 at Christ Church Cathedral in Montreal. He was born October 10th, 1952, in Montreal, making him the first Montreal-born Bishop of Montreal. In 1977, he graduated with a Bachelor in Theology degree from McGill University, followed in 1978 by his graduation with a Diploma in Ministry from the Montreal Theological College, becoming the seventh alumni from the college to be consecrated Bishop. While at the College, Bishop Clarke was ordained to the diaconate on May 21st, 1978 and to the presbyterate on May 20th, 1979 by the Right Reverend Reginald Hollis, ninth Bishop of Montreal.

Having served as assistant at St Matthias, from 1978 to 1980, he was called to be Rector of Trinity Church, St-Bruno, where he served from 1980 to 1984. In 1984, he was called as Rector of St Michael and All Angels, where he served from 1984 to 1993. He was then named Rector of St Paul’s, Lachine where he served until relocating to the See City of Montreal, upon his election in 2004.

During his parish ministries, Bishop Clarke was involved in community and youth work, and served on numerous diocesan councils, commissions and committees including the Synod Planning Committee, the Diocesan Youth Group, Diocesan Council and the Lay Pastoral Visitors. He also served as Regional Dean of the Deanery of Ste-Anne from 1988 to 1992, Regional Dean of the Deanery of Pointe-Claire from 1997 to 2003, and Archdeacon of St Lawrence from 2003 to his election. He was also Chaplain of the International Order of St Luke the Physician and Priest Associate to the Sisters of St John the Divine.

In his nominee’s statement, Bishop Clarke expressed that his vision of the Episcopal Ministry are based on the following words of our Lord:

“I came not to be served, but to serve. Episcopal ministry, as I understand it, is modeled in Jesus. It is a vocation and a response to the baptismal covenant I inherited in baptism. Jesus is the servant. In ministry I respond to his call and follow him. By the grace of the Holy Spirit I am equipped to meet the challenges and opportunities of Episcopal ministry. The three biblical images that inform my vision are; pilgrim, pastor, and steward. The image of a pilgrim bishop encourages me to be at the grass roots of the Church where ministry and mission happen. My desire would be to visit and share in the life of the faith communities, parishes, institutions, and organizations that shape the life of our Diocese and the wider community. My objectives: to observe, to listen to the wonderful stories of faith, to hear about the hopes and dreams of these communities. My view of the Diocese is that we are interdependent; we need each other for mutual support, growth, and planning our life together. The image of a pastoral bishop is to be a pastor to the clergy and their families. My vision of Episcopal ministry is that the bishop is also a steward. I am deeply aware of the riches of our Anglican heritage and the resources of our Diocese. As a steward of the Gospel I am entrusted to care for the natural, material and personnel resources of our Church. As stewards, we serve together in witnessing to the Gospel as we proclaim by word and example the Good News of God in Christ. We seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving our neighbours as ourselves. We strive for justice and peace among all people and respect the dignity of every human being.”

Bishop Clarke has a daughter, Melissa, and three grandchildren, Joshua, Julien, and Cassidy.

Source: Montreal Anglican