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Paul Donison
Paul Donison (born 1977) is a Canadian-born American Anglican bishop. His primary role in ordained ministry is as rector and dean of Christ Church Plano, the largest church and provincial pro-cathedral of the Anglican Church in North America. Since 2024, he has also served as general secretary of Gafcon and assistant bishop in the Anglican Diocese of Gasabo. Early life and educationDonison was born in Canada and earned his B.F.A. in theatre from the University of Victoria.[1] After university, Donison worked as a professional actor,[2] including roles as Laertes in Hamlet[3] and Friar Lawrence in Romeo and Juliet.[4] He later attended Regent College, where he received an M.Div. and a diploma in Christian studies.[1] Ordained ministryDonison began his ordained ministry in the Anglican Church of Canada, serving in the Diocese of Fredericton and the Diocese of Ottawa.[2] In September 2009, as part of the broader Anglican realignment, Donison stepped down as rector of the combined South Dundas parish of St. James, Morrisburg, and Holy Trinity, Riverside Heights. He voluntarily relinquished his license in the Diocese of Ottawa and joined the Anglican Network in Canada.[5] He joined the staff of St. Peter and St. Paul's Anglican Church in Ottawa as associate priest for discipleship and became rector in 2012.[2] Donison was shortlisted for the role of bishop of Pittsburgh in March 2016.[6] In 2016, Donison was elected to succeed the Rev. David Roseberry as the second rector of Christ Church in Plano, Texas, which was the largest church in the ACNA and host of the investiture of Archbishop Robert Duncan in 2009. After immigrating to the United States, Donison was formally installed by Archbishop Foley Beach and Bishop Todd Hunter in January 2017.[2] Donison and Christ Church hosted the ACNA Provincial Assembly in 2019. In 2021, Christ Church was designated the provincial pro-cathedral for the ACNA.[7] Global roleIn 2023, Donison was elected general secretary of Gafcon, succeeding Archbishop Benjamin Kwashi.[8] The Gafcon Primates Council determined that "the role of general secretary was episcopal in nature," so Gafcon Chairman Laurent Mbanda consecrated Donison as assistant bishop in the Diocese of Gasabo on February 4, 2024, at Holy Trinity Cathedral in Kibagabaga, Kigali.[9] On February 17, Donison was invested as vicar general for the Texas deanery in the Anglican Diocese of the South in addition to continuing his role as dean and rector at Christ Church.[10] Personal lifeDonison is married to Monika; they have four children.[2] Donison is a board member at Trinity School for Ministry, where he pursued doctoral studies, and East African Christian College in Kigali.[1] References
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