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Bishop Michael J. Pryse Biography

Bishop Michael J. PryseBishop Pryse was born on Reformation Day, October 31, 1959 in Toronto, Ontario. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Philip Lutheran Church in Kitchener, Ontario where he also completed his primary and elementary education.

Michael attended Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo, Ontario where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree majoring in History and English. He subsequently enrolled in Waterloo Lutheran Seminary, graduating in 1985 with a Master of Divinity degree.

Following his ordination on June 7,1985, Bishop Pryse served as pastor of the Mildmay-Neustadt Lutheran Parish (1985-88) and of Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Burlington, Ontario (1988-1990). He then received a call to serve as an Assistant to the Bishop of the Eastern Synod and served in that capacity until September 1, 1998, carrying primary staff responsibilities in the areas of Stewardship, Church and Society, Communications and Outdoor Ministry. During this term, Bishop Pryse also served as a member of the ELCIC National Church Council (1991-1998) and as a member of the Board of Directors of Canadian Lutheran World Relief (1993-1998).

Bishop Pryse was elected to serve as Bishop of the Eastern Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada on June 19, 1998 and was installed into that office on September 27, 1998 at St. Peter's Lutheran Church in Kitchener, Ontario. Bishop Pryse is fervently committed to the cause of Christian unity and is a strong advocate for increased ecumenical co-operation. He has travelled extensively in many parts of the world and has a keen interest in questions of global justice and international development.

Michael and his wife Lois are the parents of four daughters; Jessica, Katie, Heather and Emily. They presently reside in Kitchener, Ontario and are members of St. Mark Lutheran Church.