Douglas Walter Hambidge (6 March 1927 – 2 March 2026) was a Canadian Anglican clergyman who served as the seventh Bishop of Caledonia, the seventh Bishop of New Westminster, and the ninth Metropolitan of the Ecclesiastical Province of British Columbia and Yukon.
Biography
Hambidge was born in London, England, on 6 March 1927. He was educated at London University and ordained in 1953. After serving a curacy at St Mark's, Dalston, he emigrated to Canada in 1956, taking up a position as rector of All Saints Church in Cassiar, British Columbia, in the Diocese of Caledonia. He subsequently held incumbencies in Smithers and Fort St John, and served as a canon at St. Andrew's Cathedral in Prince Rupert.
In 1969, Hambidge was elected Bishop of Caledonia. In 1980, he was elected Bishop of New Westminster and was translated to that diocese. The following year, in 1981, he became Metropolitan of British Columbia (the ecclesiastical province of British Columbia and Yukon), a position he held until his resignation in 1993. Following his retirement as diocesan bishop, he served as Principal of St Mark's Theological College and as an Assistant Bishop in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, for two years.
Hambidge was known for his close relationship with the Nisga'a First Nation in northern British Columbia. He was ceremonially adopted into the Nisga'a Raven Clan, receiving a Nisga'a name and an ornate blanket signifying his membership. He was an early advocate for incorporating Indigenous spiritual traditions into Anglican practice, inviting Indigenous drummers and dancers to the diocesan synod for the first time, and becoming involved in several land claim negotiations. He is credited as an early advocate for the Anglican Church of Canada's apology for its involvement in the residential school system, raising the issue at a 1993 meeting of the church's Residential Schools Working Group.
After his retirement, Hambidge remained active as a speaker on church stewardship, travelling across Canada to give talks. He also appeared on a radio program syndicated across northern British Columbia.
Hambidge died on 2 March 2026 in Calgary, Alberta, four days before his 99th birthday. He was predeceased by his wife, Denise, and was survived by three adult children, as well as grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
