Most Reverend Gary Michael Gordon was born on June 10, 1957, in Vancouver, British Columbia. He attended Christ the King Seminary in Mission, British Columbia; Resurrection College in Waterloo, Ontario; and St. Peter’s Seminary in London, Ontario, where he graduated in 1982. Bishop Gary was ordained to the priesthood on May 22, 1982, by Archbishop James Carney at his home parish, St. Francis de Sales, Burnaby. On June 14, 2014, Pope Francis appointed Most Reverend Gary Gordon as the 17th Bishop of Victoria.
Since his ordination, Bishop Gary's love of nature and connecting with his congregation, especially with First Nations communities, developed a lifelong bond with the Stó:lō Nation. Embodying the model to Authentically Witness Excellence, his adventurous, outgoing spirit, and gift of storytelling endeared him to the community. Shortly after being appointed Bishop of the Diocese of Whitehorse in 2006, in honour of his evangelising and connecting with the people, Bishop Gordon received the name Xyolhmetoxw, which means ‘taking care of the people’ in Halq’eméylem, the language of the Stó:lō Nation.
In November 2014, when Bishop Gordon was appointed Shepherd of the Diocese of Victoria, he continued to personally engage, accompany, connect, model, and mentor, encouraging his staff and clergy to follow suit. Bishop Gordon guides and teaches in his own special, personal, and unique way—whether it is creating sandboxes as a prop to explain the complexities of Truth and Reconciliation to Grade Two students, working with inmates, victims, and families through Restorative Justice, or simply connecting with people on their own terms while fishing.
Board Appointments
- Bishop ponens to the Interfaith Committee on Chaplaincy of the Correctional Service of Canada for the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops.
- Co-Chairman of the Anglican/Roman Catholic Bishops’ Dialogue for the CCCB the since 2012; reappointed for a second three-year term ending in 2018.
- Canadian Representative to the International Anglican–Roman Catholic Commission for Unity and Mission for Anglican–Roman Catholic Dialogue
- Serra International – Canada Council liaison Bishop
- National Catholic Broadcasting Council Board Member (appointed 2016)
- Providence Health Care Society Board Member, Vancouver
Contact Bishop Gary Gordon
Bishop Gary Gordon's Pastoral Letters and Statements
About Merlin
Merlin, Bishop Gary's Golden Retriever, was born in 2011, and vaulted to puppyhood stardom in the movie Spooky Buddies, part of the Disney Buddies franchise, sometimes referred to as the Air Bud and Air Buddies franchise. Merlin played the part of Buddha, the mischievous puppy, and was gifted to Bishop Gary upon completion of filming.
Bishop Gary was then Bishop of Whitehorse, and Merlin grew up roaming the wilds of the Yukon. On three separate occasions, Merlin defended the Bishop from bears, a ‘hat-trick’ that earned him the honourary title ‘St. Merlin’.
Merlin loved his role as Diocesan Dog, and when possible, accompanied Bishop Gary on his travels. He loved people, food, chasing balls, and car rides, and could often be found visiting the Pastoral Centre staff, or welcoming guests to the Bishop’s residence.
Merlin passed peacefully on Sunday, November 13, 2022. A beloved and long-time member of our Diocese, he will be missed!
Coat of Arms
This is the Coat of Arms of Bishop Gary Michael Gordon. Extending to the four sides is a white cross with a white circle at its centre. On the circle is a red and black salmon in the Coast Salish style by artist Stan Green of Skowkale First Nation. In the upper left and lower right quarters on the shield are the letters A and M interlaced in white.
The red shield has multiple symbolisms. The red is a high colour of the First Nations and a symbol of the blood of Christ our Saviour. The white cross is the encounter of crossing paths of the people of Canada today; the colour white comes from the direction of the north. These are two of the sacred colours of the First Nations with whom Bishop Gordon has worked for the greater part of his priesthood. Red and white are also the national colours of Canada, and represent Bishop Gordon’s service as a parish priest in several parts of
his homeland.
The salmon refers to the gift of the Creator to West Coast First Nations as a staple food and blessing, and its ancient meaning as a Christian symbol.
The interlaced A and M are a reference to the Virgin Mary. Bishop Gordon’s devotion to her forms a significant part of his faith.