The Venerable Kathryn Otley was elected as the 11th Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Ottawa

The Venerable Kathryn Otley was elected as the 11th Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Ottawa, becoming the first woman to lead the Diocese since its establishment in 1896.

The election took place Saturday, February 28, 2026, at Christ Church Cathedral in Ottawa, where clergy and lay delegates from across Eastern Ontario and Western Quebec gathered for an Electoral Synod following a discernment and formal nomination process.

Bishop-Elect Kathryn currently serves at All Saints Westboro. Ordained to the priesthood in 2006, she served in parish and diocesan leadership roles and is recognized within the diocese, ecclesiastical province, and national church for her commitment to congregational vitality, collaborative leadership, reconciliation and social justice, with a special focus on homelessness and affordable housing. Throughout her ministry, Kathryn emphasized building strong parish communities, promoting equity, inclusion and strengthening relationships across diverse congregations. With a passion for learning and teaching, she has been a sessional lecturer, mentored clergy and lay leaders, and presented at both Ottawa and Toronto Forums on Homelessness.

In the Anglican Church of Canada, a diocesan bishop serves as the chief pastor and senior executive leader of the Diocese. The bishop provides spiritual leadership to clergy and congregations, oversees governance and institutional accountability, guides strategic direction, and represents the Diocese in the broader civic and national church context.

In a statement following the election, Bishop-Elect Kathryn said: “I am honored and humbled that among such gifted colleagues you have elected me to be your Bishop. With your prayerful support I will, in the role of a shepherd, lead our diocese at a time that is full of challenges; challenges which together we can transform into opportunities, witnessing to the power of God’s love for all people. We rely on our sure and certain hope in Jesus Christ. My prayer for us all, taken from the words of Paul writing to the Romans, “May the God of hope fill us with all joy and peace in believing such that we overflow with hope through the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen”

The Electoral Synod was chaired by The Most Reverend Anne Germond, Metropolitan of the Ecclesiastical Province of Ontario. In the Anglican Church of Canada, the Metropolitan oversees episcopal elections within the province to ensure the process conforms to church law and confirms the result of the vote. She will also preside at the consecration.

Bishop-Elect Kathryn will be consecrated and formally installed as Bishop of Ottawa on Saturday, May 9, 2026, at Christ Church Cathedral, 414 Sparks Street, Ottawa, Ontario. The service will bring together clergy and lay representatives from across the Diocese, ecumenical partners, civic leaders, and guests from across Canada.

For additional information, including the Bishop-Elect’s biography and details on the transition process, please visit: ottawa.anglican.ca/episcopal-elections-2026.

About the Anglican Diocese of Ottawa

Established in 1896, the Anglican Diocese of Ottawa serves a large and diverse territory across eastern Ontario and western Quebec, including the National Capital Region. Through its parishes, churches, chapels, and community ministries, the Diocese is engaged in initiatives addressing homelessness, food insecurity, refugee resettlement, mental health support, intergenerational engagement, and pastoral care. Serving both urban and rural communities, it works in collaboration with local partners to strengthen social well-being and community resilience. Much of its territory lies on the traditional lands of the Algonquin Anishnaabeg, Haudenosaunee Mohawk, Haudenosaunee (St. Lawrence Iroquois), and Huron-Wendat peoples. www.ottawa.anglican.ca

Media Contact:
Carole Breton
Director of Communications & Development
Anglican Diocese of Ottawa
613-232-7124 ext. 225
carole-breton@ottawa.anglican.ca