ST MARY’s, Snettisham, a fine Decorated country church in west Norfolk, has the unusual distinction of being the model for Christ Church Cathedral in Fredericton, the capital of New Brunswick. Here, Harold Nutter established his reputation, first as Dean, then as Bishop, and, finally, as Metropolitan of Canada. This grand title relates to the province of Lower Canada (that is, the southern and eastern parts of Quebec, the Maritimes, Labrador, and Newfoundland), retaining this privileged historic name.

Nutter was born in 1923, a native of New Brunswick. He became Dean of Fredericton in 1960, and was elected Bishop in 1971, becoming provincial metropolitan in 1980. This volume, largely consisting of his memoirs, was written for the provincial archives and has been edited by his son, Andrew Bruce Nutter. Also a priest, living in retirement in Europe, he contributes a final reflective chapter. A brief foreword by a local scholar, David Adams Richard, notes that it recounts “a time done, remote, and dimming in all memory”. That very fact makes this gentle and, on one level, unremarkable read offer fascinating insights into the extraordinary cultural changes within a particular Anglican province in the second half of the 20th century.

Nutter writes attractively and without hubris, outlining the development of his ministry, but never losing sight of the paradigm shifts in his own country and more widely around the world. He comments generously on two successive Lambeth Conferences, marvelling at the success of the 1988 meeting despite the prophets of doom. Nutter never lost sight of the relationship between the Christian gospel’s social implications. Despite never becoming formally involved in party politics, he was twice approached to become leader of the Provincial Liberal party and offered the Lieutenant Governorship of the Province of New Brunswick.

Throughout, Nutter breathes an appealing liberality, although other commentators have argued that, despite his progressive views, by the time of his retirement, he was seen as one of the most conservative members of the House of Bishops. These days, even his progressivism may seem dated; but, as Dean Inge used to say, he who marries the spirit of the age will find himself a widower in the next.

This is, in effect, a classic history of the Anglican Church of Canada in the 20th century. It offers a perceptive backward glance over just one liberal white province within the Communion and is salutary for that very reason. Thus writes one who has regularly been “accused” of being a liberal, but who now fears that he is in serious danger of cancellation!
 

The Rt Revd Stephen Platten is a former Bishop of Wakefield.

A Memoir: It remains for me to say
Harold Lee Nutter
Atlantic Digital Reproductions £21.75*
(978-1-77835166-2)
*available from the diocese of Fredericton, nb.anglican.ca