a priest's musings on the journey

Associated Press

Toronto - The Anglican Church of Canada could elect its first woman leader during a national assembly this summer.

Edmonton Bishop Victoria Matthews is among four nominees for archbishop, or primate, who were chosen Thursday by Canada's Anglican bishops during a private meeting in Niagara Falls, Ontario. The election is set for June 22 in Winnipeg, Ontario.

If Matthews wins, she will be the second woman elected to lead a national Anglican church in the nearly 500-year-old Anglican Communion.

Last year, U.S. Episcopal Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori became the first woman elected to head an Anglican province. The Episcopal Church is the U.S. wing of the communion, a 77 million-member fellowship of churches that trace their roots to the Church of England.

The other nominees for Canadian archbishop are Ontario Bishop George Bruce; Huron Bishop Bruce Howe; and Bishop Fred Hiltz of Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island.

Matthews had been nominated during the 2004 election, but withdrew her name and went on medical leave after she was diagnosed with breast cancer. She returned to work the next year.

The winner of this summer's balloting will succeed Archbishop Andrew Hutchison, who is retiring. Canadian primates serve until age 70.