ABOUT DIO > Honorary Degrees

Honorary Degrees

The Board of Governors of Montreal Dio grants honorary degrees on the recommendation of its Academic Committee. These degrees are normally conferred at the college’s annual Convocation each spring in Montreal. Honorary degrees are granted in recognition of individuals who have made exceptional contributions of leadership or ministry in the church and in broader society.

In recommending individuals for honorary degrees, the Academic Committee seeks to adhere to the following guidelines.

Recipients can be graduates of the college who have given service to the broader church by, for example, their contribution to theological education, their supervision and instruction of candidates for ministry, or by otherwise rendering exemplary service to the church and its witness in the world. Recipients can also be non-graduates who have likewise given outstanding service to the church and world. The college generally seeks to recognize individuals who embody and enact the college’s vision of compassionate, courageous, and creative leadership for Christian witness in a rapidly changing world. The college is particularly eager to recognize the witness of lay members of congregations whose often quiet witness to their faith can be transformative in their contexts.

In keeping with the ecumenical nature of the college, the Academic Committee considers nominees from a range of denominational and ecclesial backgrounds, with particular attention paid to nominees from the Anglican Church of Canada, the United Church of Canada, and their global partners.

NOMINATION PROCESS

Nominations for honorary degrees are typically made in writing through the online nomination form. The committee also welcomes oral nominations in instances where the nominee’s work is best articulated through storytelling and traditional means of sharing.

Nominations must be submitted no later than December 15 of each calendar year.

The Nomination Form will ask for the following information:

  1. The name, contact information, and position of the Nominator(s),
  2. The name, contact information, and position of the Nominee,
  3. A brief description of the achievements and accomplishments of the Nominee, akin to a curriculum vitae of the Nominee (either in writing (max. 300 words) or through oral account),
  4. Succinct descriptions (either in writing or through oral account) indicating: (a) what the Nominee does or has done to deserve nomination (max. 300 words), (b) the significance of the nominee’s contribution for the community (max. 300 words), (c) recognition of other awards and/or honours the nominee may have already received (if any) (max. 150 words), and (d) evidence of how the nominee’s contributions relate to identified aims of honorary degrees at the college.
  5. Two or more reference letters (signed) or oral testimonies, addressed to the Academic Committee, one of which may be from the Nominator

Ineligibility

The Committee does not normally consider:

  • Nominations of current members of the Board of Governors, the faculty, staff and administration of the College, employees of the College, or currently serving members of governing bodies or Committees of the College.
  • Nominations of deceased persons (for posthumous awarding of degrees or awards).
  • Self-nominations.

Confidentiality

Nominators shall take care to maintain confidentiality, not revealing the nomination to the nominee or to anyone else until the honorary degree or award has been adjudicated by the Board of Governors. The Academic Committee shall likewise hold all nominations in confidence.

Submission of Nominations

Nominations should be submitted online through the Nomination Form, no later than December 15 of each calendar year. Questions and other correspondence regarding honorary degrees and awards can be directed to the Principal, the Rev. Canon Jesse Zink.

The lists below present the historical recipients of the Doctor of Divinity degree by college. Since the 2022 merger, Montreal Dio has awarded a single honorary Doctor of Divinity each year, balancing recognition between the Anglican Church of Canada and The United Church of Canada.

 

Montreal Dio: Recipients of the Doctor of Divinity (1929 - 2021)

Year/AnnéeName/NomPosition
2026The Most Rev.Dr. Kimberly HeathModerator of the United Church of Canada
2025Fiona CrosslingMember of St. Mark and St. Peter, Active non-profit leader
2024The Rev. Morar Murray-HayesUnited Church Minister
Inter-faith activist
2023The Rev. Patricia LissonUnited Church Minister
2022The Rev. Cathy HamiltonUnited Church Minister, McGill/UTC Graduate
2021Elizabeth MayDiocese of British Columbia, Leader of Green Party of Canada
2020Nominee was deferred to next year due to pandemic
2019The Rt. Rev. Mary Irwin-GibsonBishop of Quebec
2018The Most Rev. Fred HiltzPrimate of the Anglican Church of Canada
2017Mtre Michael PatryDiocese of Montreal, Secretary of Montreal Diocesan Theological College
2016The Rev. Canon Dr. John SimonsFormer Principal, Montreal Diocesan Theological College
2015No nominee
2014The Rev. Dr. Richard CawleyDiocese of Montreal
2013Dr. Walter DellerTheologian and educator
2012The Rev. Canon Dr. John GibautEcumenist
The Rev. Dr. John VissersPrincipal, Presbyterian College
2011Canon Florence Skene TracyMcGill University
2010The Rt. Rev. Dennis DrainvilleBishop of Quebec
2009The Rev. Canon Ogé BeauvoirDean, Episcopal Theological Seminary in Haiti
2008The Ven. Peter HannenDiocese of Montreal
The Rev. Prof. Patricia KirkpatrickProfessor of Hebrew Scriptures, McGill University
2007The Rev. Prof. Douglas John HallProfessor, McGill University, theologian and author
Mrs. Rhoda Palfrey HallTheologian
2006Dr. Eleanor JohnsonDirector, Partners in Mission, Anglican Church of Canada
The Rt. Rev. Barry ClarkeBishop of Montreal
2005The Rev. Canon Bryan PearceDiocese of Montreal
2004The Rev. Dr. Elizabeth RowlinsonPriest and educator
2003The Rt. Rev. George BruceBishop of Ontario
Mr. Patrick WeddMusician
2002The Rev. Canon Alyson Barnett-CowanEcumenist
The Rt. Rev. Russell HattonBishop and theological educator
The Rev. Canon Dr. Jeno KohnerPriest, Diocese of Montreal
2001The Rev. Canon Dr. Donald ThompsonGeneral Secretary, Colleges and Universities of the Anglican Communion
Ms. Cynthia PattersonFounder, Rural Dignity of Canada
2000Fr. Irénée Beaubien, S.J.Ecumenist
1999The Rev. Canon Dan FlemingPriest, Diocese of Montreal
The Rev. Murray MagorPriest
1998Rev. Paul GibsonLiturgical Officer, Anglican Church of Canada
1997The Most Rev. Orland LindsayArchbishop of the West Indies
Canon Dr. Constance Middleton-HopeSocial activist
1996Mr. Gerald WheelerOrganist, Christ Church Cathedral
The Rev. William McCartnyDirector, Old Brewery Mission
1995The Rev. Michael LloydDirector, Anglican Book Centre
1994Dr. Phyllis SmithDirector of Pastoral Services, RVH
1993The Rt. Rev. Andrew S. HutchisonBishop of Montreal
1992The Rev. Canon Lettie JamesDiocese of Montreal (first woman priest)
1991The Rt. Rev. Walter AsbilBishop Coadjutor, Diocese of Niagara
1990The Rev. Dr. William KlempaPrincipal, The Presbyterian College
1989The Most Rev. Michael G. PeersPrimate, Anglican Church of Canada
1988The Rev. Peter MasonPrincipal, Wycliffe College
The Rt. Rev. John A. BaycroftSuffragan Bishop of Ottawa, Member of Anglican/Roman Catholic International Commission
1987Dr. David L. JohnstonPrincipal, Vice-Chancellor, McGill University
1986Dr. Robert C. CulleyProfessor of Old Testament, Acting Dean, Faculty of Religious Studies, McGill University
1985Dr. Eugene R. FairweatherDean of Divinity, Trinity College
The Rt. Rev. James A. McLeanSuffragan Bishop of Montreal
1984No nominee
1983The Rt. Rev. Stephen C. NeillFormer Bishop of Tinnevelly, professor and author
1982The Most Rev. Harold H. NutterMetropolitan of the Province of Canada
1981Mother Anne MarieMother Superior, Society of St. Margaret
Mrs. Mary S. McC. NaylorDiocese of Montreal
The Rev. Samuel L. PollardAlumnus of Montreal Diocesan Theological College
1980The Most Rev. R. L. SeabornFirst Bishop of Eastern Newfoundland and Labrador
The Ven John N. DoidgeArchdeacon of Montreal
Monseigneur Bernard HubertBishop of St. Jean-de-Québec
1979Sr. Marie Noelle de BaillehacheDirector, Centre MI-CA-EL, Montreal
The Ven. H. St.C. HilcheyFormer Principal, Montreal Diocesan Theological College
1978The Rt. Rev. Allen GoodingsBishop of Quebec
The Rev. Cyril H. PowlesProfessor of Church History, Trinity College, Toronto
The Rev. Canon R. M. TurpinDiocese of Montreal and Officer for French-English Relations, Anglican Church of Canada
1977No nominee
1976The Rt. Rev. Henry G. HillBishop of Ontario
1975The Rt. Rev. Reginald HollisBishop of Montreal
The Rev. Canon Monroe PeastonMcGill University and Former Principal, Montreal Diocesan Theological College
1974The Ven. T. Desmond RoweDiocese of Montreal
The Rev. Canon John O. PeacockDiocese of Montreal
1973The Rev. Mark A. BeaufoyFormer Warden, Montreal Diocesan Theological College
Dr. J. A. BoormanPrincipal, United Theological College
The Rev. J. C. McLellandProfessor, Faculty of Religious Studies, McGill University
The Most Rev. Edward W. ScottPrimate of All Canada
1972The Rt. Rev. R. E. Fraser BerryBishop of Kootenay
1971No nominee
1970The Very Rev. R. G. FlemingBishop of Rupert’s Land
The Rt. Rev. Barry ValentineDean of Ontario
1969No nominee
1968The Rev. Dr. H. H. WalshMcGill University
The Rt. Rev. R. F. BrownBishop of Quebec
1967Dr. R. C. RaeVice-Chancellor, Sir George Williams University
1966No nominee
1965No nominee
1964The Rev. Dr. Eric G. JayMcGill University and Principal, Montreal Diocesan Theological College
1963The Rt. Rev. R. K. MaguireBishop of Montreal
The Ven. I. M. LidstoneDiocese of Montreal
The Most Rev. H. H. ClarkPrimate / Bishop of Rupert’s Land
1962The Rt. Hon. and Most Rev. Geoffrey L. FisherArchbishop of Canterbury
1961The Rt. Rev. John DixonBishop of Montreal
1960Dr. Henry F. HallVice-Chancellor, Sir George Williams University
1959The Rev. Dr. G. B. CairdPrincipal, United Theological College
The Ven. J. F. MorrisDiocese of Montreal
1958The Rev. Canon R. H. L. SlaterMcGill University and Principal, Montreal Diocesan Theological College
The Rev. Canon J. J. WillisDiocese of Montreal
The Rt. Rev. William WrightBishop of Algoma
1957The Rt. Rev. Percival W. GibsonBishop of Jamaica
The Rev. Dr. D. B. RogersBoard of Education, General Synod
1956The Ven. R. Kenneth NaylorDiocese of Montreal
1955The Rev. G. G. D. KilpatrickPrincipal, United Theological College
The Rev. Sidney JellicoeBishop’s University
Dr. John W. ForthBishop’s University

UTC: Recipients of the Doctor of Divinity (1929 - 2021)

Year/AnnéeName/NomAddress/Adresse
2021Miller, K.D.Toronto, ON
2019Manly, Eva GraceNanaimo, BC
2019Manly, James DouglasNanaimo, BC
2018Reyes, Rex RBPhilippines
2017Scott, James Vincent (Jamie)Chelsea, QC
2016Arce Valentin, Reinerio
2015No award recipient due to shared MST convocation
2014Goldman, RichardMontreal, QC
2013Robinson, Kenneth O.Ottawa, ON
2012Snelling, Roger ArthurDECEASED
2011Goldberger, PierreMontreal, QC
2010Gualtieri, Antonio RobertoOttawa, ON
2010Hoffman, JohnDECEASED
2009Wakeling, FayeDECEASED
2008Evans, AmyHarrington Harbour, MB
2007Hall, DouglasMontreal, QC
2006Mount, BalfourMontreal, QC
2005Johnston, NandyToronto, ON
2005Campbell, K. JamesOakville, QC
2004Hanna, HelenDECEASED
2003Ham, Adolfo
2002Smyth, PhyllisMontreal, ON
2001Finson, ShelleyDECEASED
2000McNab, JohnPickering, ON
2000Hadrill, JoanBeaconsfield,
1999Bailey, FrankDECEASED
1998Klassen, Betty JeanToronto, ON
1998Edmonds, TomBromont, ON
1997Kirkwood, JamesToronto, ON
1997Hatfield, Mary
1996Nerny, MauriceVerdun, BC
1996Runnalls, DonnaVancouver, BC
1995Meadows, FrankDECEASED
1995Leicester Bigby, Hazel EveletBrampton, QC
1994Duncan, MurielMississauga, QC
1993Hallman, DavidToronto, ON
1993Griffith, GwynethToronto, ON
1992Mitsui, TadashiLethbridge, QC
1992Kushner, Eva
1991Kernen, WillaSaskatoon, QC
1991McKay, StanGladstone, PEI
1990Mair, NathanCharlottetown, QC
1990Taylor, James
1989Booth, RodneySurrey, SK
1989Parent, Madeleine
1988Woodsworth, David
1987Grew, John
1987Legge, Garth
1986Boorman, J. A.Kirkland, QC
1986Cox, Leticia
1985Osborne, Robert
1984de Mestral, Claude
1984Henderson, Evelyn Mary
1984Wright, Robert
1983McCullum, Hugh
1983Robertson Matthews, Alan
1982Melburn McDowell, Samuel
1981McCord, DaveDECEASED
1980Squire, AnneOttawa, ON
1980Power, Margaret Mary
1979Boorman, Margaret
1978Wilson, LoisToronto, ON
1977Johnston, NormanDECEASED
1976Jay, Eric
1975Collins, Jean
1975Montour, Enos
1974Johnston, George
1974Moore, Aubrey George
1973Harvey, Julien
1972Carey, Frank E.Wolfville, QC
1972Lovelace, Arthur
1971King, Albert E.
1971Scott, Edward
1970Ennals, BernardToronto, BC
1970Jones, P. W. E.
1970Scoates, D. J.
1970Slaughter, Norman
1969Kelly, William
1968Wilson, ReginaldVancouver, ON
1968Carleton Rose, Victor
1968Machin, Samuel
1967Matheson, Charles
1966Morgan, FrankDECEASED
1966Cantwell Smith, Wilfred
1966Christie, Katharine
1965Mowatt, Andrew
1965Walsh, Henry
1963MacMillan, KennethDECEASED
1963Barr, Ronald
1962Griffith, A. Leonard
1961Johnston, Charles F.Pointe-Claire, ON
1961Joblin, KingsleyDECEASED
1960Kilpatrick, George
1959Doxsee, Francis
1959Smith, Alfred
1958Feher, Michael
1958McNaught, Thomas
1957Patterson, John
1957Smith, Reginald
1956Knowles, EustaceDECEASED
1956Berry, William
1955Mowatt, Joseph
1955Wright, William
1954Brown, Burton
1954Copland, Edward
1953Long, Ernest
1953Wadsworth, Gordon
1950Cragg, Gerald
1950Ferguson, William
1950Forsyth, David
1950George, Alfred
1950McCrae, James
1949Amaron, ErrolDECEASED
1949Scott, Robert
1948Campbell, Harvey
1948Dewey, George
1948Gilmour, Samuel
1948MacKay, James
1947Moore, ArthurDECEASED
1947Anderson, Frederick
1947Collins, Stanley
1947Laite, Uriah
1946Carson, Herman
1944Ridout, Denzil
1942Coburn, David
1942Cousland, Kenneth
1941Joliat, Henri
1940Mutchmor, James
1939Lochead, Arthur
1939Moir, Donald
1939Taylor, Ernest
1938Jones, Thomas
1938Young, Ernest
1937Katsunoff, Robert
1937MacLeod, Donald
1936Matheson, A. Dawson
1936Miller, John
1935Mercer, George
1935Temple, John
1934Clark, John
1934Williams, Charles
1933Faulds, James
1933Langford, Frederick
1933Sleep, Albert
1930Ross, Andrew
1929Hurst, George
1929Shaw, William