Prior to becoming Diocesan Bishop, The Right
Reverend Dr. Bruce H.W. Howe became the Dean of Huron and Rector of the Cathedral Church of St. Paul, London, Ontario, Canada on January 15, 1988.  Bishop Howe began his ministry, following Ordination, in the Diocese of Toronto where he served as Director of Social Services at the Fred Victor Mission.  This position involved relating to the needy and homeless of Toronto and it involved the supervision of 14 staff and the administration of various programs including the initiation of new services to meet changing needs.  Following this work in Toronto, Bishop Howe moved to Nova Scotia and served as Rector of St. Mary’s Parish Glace Bay (approximately 700 families - active and non active).  Following Glace Bay, Bishop Howe served as Rector of the historic parish of St. John’s in Lunenburg (approximately 550 families).  In both places he was active in community and Diocesan life; e.g. Member of the Diocesan Executive Committee, Regional Dean, Chair of the Ministries Committee, Chair of the Bicentennial Committee, etc.

Bishop Howe has served the Canadian Church Community in a variety of capacities.  Following a term of membership, he served for six years as the Chair of the Long Range Planning Committee of the General Synod of the Anglican Church of Canada.  He also served as a member of the General Synod Inter-Church Inter-Faith Relations Committee and as a member of the General Board of the Canadian Council of Churches.  Within the Ecclesiastical Province of Ontario Dean Howe served on Provincial Council and for a 3 year term was Chair of the Administration and Planning Commission.

As Rector of St. Paul’s Cathedral with a 2 million dollar budget, Bishop Howe gave leadership to the mission and ministry of London’s Oldest Church and one of the City’s historic properties.  St. Paul’s Cathedral is active in the Arts, hosting twice weekly noon hour recitals, other concerts, and an Art Show featuring over 125 artists from Southwestern Ontario.  Historically, the Church through such programs as the Daily Bread Program, the Fellowship Centre (for London’s “street people”), a Refugee Committee, the Volunteer Bureau, etc, has reached out to the wider community.  As Dean of Huron, Bishop Howe was actively involved at the Diocesan level as Chair of The Executive Staff; Chair of The Executive Staff and Archdeacons; member of Executive Committee, Chair of The Stained Glass Window Committee, etc. 

Interested in teaching, Bishop taught for several years a University Credit Course “The Bible in Dialogue with our Post-Modern Generation” and has facilitated numerous seminars and workshops for parishes or regional gatherings.  Although the Rector of large parishes, he has had the time and interest to serve on a hospital Board, Town Recreation Commission, a local Board of Trade, Information London, and has Chaired two Provincial Swim meets.