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On May 23, 2026, former National Bishop Susan Johnson was presented with an honourary doctorate of divinity from the United Lutheran Seminary (ULS) in Pennsylvania.  The ELCIC joins in celebrating this well-deserved honour.

The seminary celebrated her legacy as the longest-serving National Bishop in the history of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC). She was commended for guiding the church through 18 years of ministry with a unique balance of courage and faith. Particular emphasis was placed on her leadership in truth and reconciliation efforts and her dedication to making the church a kinder, more outward-looking, and inclusive space. The citation recognized how the ELCIC and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) grew significantly in mutual ministry, global mission, and supportive friendship under her tenure. Beyond North America, she was honored for her widely respected judgment, eloquence, and service within the World Council of Churches and the Lutheran World Federation, where her guidance was frequently trusted to navigate complex issues. 

This article is based on information published by the ELCIC National Church and supplemented with information from publicly available sources.

Image Credit: from United Lutheran Seminary’s Instagram page.