Jordan, Most Rev. Anthony, OMI

Anthony Jordan was born on November 10, 1901 in Uphall, Scotland. He received his early education at a parochial school in Broxburn, West Lothian. At the age of 12 the Jordans immigrated to Canada and settled in Alberta. Jordan began his high school studies in Drumheller but persuaded his parents to let him come to Edmonton with three of his friends to finish his secondary education at the Jesuit College. However, when he arrived he found that the college was a French-speaking institution, and as Jordan had not yet learned French the rector of the college suggested that he attend St. Mary's High School.

While living in Edmonton, Jordan boarded at the Oblate Fathers' residence. Not surprisingly he joined the congregation of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate in 1921 and studied for the priesthood at the Ville La Salle Novitiate in Quebec City and he was ordained on 23 June, 1929.

In 1931 he was appointed curate at St. Augustine's Parish, in Vancouver where he remained until 1941 when he was appointed superior of Holy Rosary Scholasticate in Ottawa and bursar of St. Peter's Province of the Oblates.

Appointed Vicar Apostolic of Prince Rupert, BC (now the Diocese of Prince George) on June 22, 1945, he was consecrated in St. Albert on September 8 by Cardinal J.M. Rodrigue Villeneuve. Jordan served as Bishop for 10 years before he was appointed Coadjutor Archbishop to His Grace Archbishop MacDonald, with right of succession. He succeeded to the See of Edmonton on August 11, 1964, becoming Edmonton’s fourth Archbishop.

In 1962, Jordan attended the Second Vatican Council called by Pope John XXIII. As an open-minded leader he focused his energy in promoting Church renewal through establishing the new Western Catholic Reporter (1965), Vocation Team (1966), Council of Priests (1967), Commission for Ecumenical and Interfaith Relations (1968), Adult Learning Commission (1968), and Newman Theological College (1969).

With a long list of accomplishments in a relatively short time, Archbishop Jordan, known as The Promoter of Ecumenism, retired on July 6, 1973. Nine years later, on March 4, 1982 he died at the age of 80.