A Pastoral Letter from the Three Bishops of Alberta
The three (3) Anglican bishops of Alberta have issued a pastoral letter to the Anglican family across the province regarding the upcoming Alberta referendum.
The letter, dated September 29, 2026, is addressed to Anglicans and friends in Christ throughout Alberta and invites us to approach this moment of civic decision-making through the lens of our Christian faith.
The bishops acknowledge that the Church does not normally address particular political issues in this public way. They also affirm that it is not the role of the Church to tell people how to vote or to engage in partisan political discourse. Instead, they encourage Christians to allow the values and commitments of the Gospel to shape how we discern and engage with the questions before us.
Drawing upon Scripture, the letter reflects on the Christian call to welcome and care for strangers and sojourners, and on Jesus' teaching in the Parable of the Good Samaritan, particularly the question, “Who is my neighbour?” The bishops encourage reflection on the dignity and worth of all people and on how civic decisions may affect our neighbours, especially those who are most vulnerable.
The bishops also remind us of the Christian responsibility to seek the welfare of the communities in which we live. They therefore strongly encourage everyone to vote, while recognizing that people, including members of our own families, communities, and churches, may arrive at different conclusions.
In a time when public discussions can become increasingly divided, the letter offers a further invitation to meet those with whom we disagree with “humility, charity, and grace.”
We encourage members of the St. Francis parish family to read the letter in its entirety and prayerfully consider the reflections offered by our bishops.
[ READ THE FULL PASTORAL LETTER ]
The Most Rev. Greg Kerr-Wilson, Bishop of Calgary
The Rt. Rev. David Greenwood, Bishop of Athabasca
The Rt. Rev. Stephen London, Bishop of Edmonton
May we approach this important moment in the life of our province with prayer, discernment, respect for one another, and a commitment to the common good.
SIGNED