Reverend Michael batten
Michael was born and raised in Victoria, British Columbia, and educated at the University of Victoria (M.A., 1988) and the Vancouver School of Theology (M.Div., 1992). He completed his priestly formation at St Saviour’s (Barkerville, B.C.) and St James’ (Vancouver), and was ordained to the diaconate on the Feast of St Matthew 1992, and to the priesthood on the Feast of St Andrew that same year, by the Rt Rev’d James Cruickshank, Bishop of Cariboo.
In the Diocese of Cariboo, Michael served the North Thompson Parishes (Barriere, Little Fort, and Birch Island), St Michael and All Angels (Prince George), and the Robson Valley Shared Anglican-United Ministry (Valemount and McBride).
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In 1999, Michael was appointed Chaplain to St James’ Community Services Society (now Bloom Group) on Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside, primarily serving the Society’s residents in palliative and psychiatric care. He subsequently served as Priest in Charge of St Paul’s (Vancouver) and St Francis in the Wood (West Vancouver), before being appointed Rector of St David’s (Hastings-Sunrise). In 2014, Michael was appointed Rector of St Thomas.
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In 2011, Michael was adopted by p’dek Laxgibu’u (“Wolf Tribe”) of the Nisga’a Nation, and given the name Simyunwinhl Gibu’um Liksjok (“Right-hand Wolf Living Away”). In addition to his parish duties, Michael is an anti-racism trainer for the Diocese of New Westminster, and fills a number of leadership roles in the Metro Vancouver Alliance, a broad-based non-partisan alliance of faith, labour, and community organizations working together for the common good. Michael is also a member of the Air Cadet League of Canada, and currently serves as Sponsoring Committee Chair of 103 Thunderbird Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Cadets.
