Bishop Leonard Whitten was born in Petty Harbour , Newfoundland in 1936. After graduating from high school, he trained to become a teacher at Memorial University. After teaching for two years, he began studies for the ordained ministry at Queen’s Theological College in St. John’s. He was ordained priest in 1962 and served in parishes in Newfoundland and Labrador. He completed 41 years of ministry with six years as Bishop of Western Newfoundland. He married June in 1964 and they have three sons and five grandchildren.

Since retiring in 2003, Bishop Len has been involved with SOMA (Sharing of Ministries Abroad). SOMA is organized in 12 countries and does short term teaching missions at the invitation of the bishop of a diocese. He was Director of SOMA Canada for five years. Through SOMA Canada, Bishop Len has ministered in Malaysia, South Africa, Indonesia, Singapore, Mexico, United States and in communities across the Diocese of the Arctic, from Iqualuit to Tuktoyaktuk. June sometimes accompanies him on these missions.

Bishop Len and June now live in Pasadena, Newfoundland. They are quite involved in the local parish and they both enjoy gardening. He is a leader in the leadership training work of Anglican Renewal Ministries, sometimes working with June as leader and musician. They also support the work of Alpha.

Montreal Flame 2011

For more information on the 2011 program, please see these pages: