Introducing Bishop Peter F. Hansen
We here at Christ Anglican Church are delighted to introduce Bishop Peter F. Hansen as the Episcopal Visitor for the Diocese of the Western States (D.W.S). Holding this post since 2020, he has visited Christ Anglican Church many times, presiding over the Ordination of Father Darius Gasatura, the setting aside of Deaconess Jocelyn Obermeyer, and many confirmations.
The Reverend Canon Peter Falconer Hansen was elected Coadjutor Bishop in 2021. He was consecrated Bishop Suffragan of the Diocese of the Western States in Tulsa, Oklahoma, on September 21, 2017 by The Most Reverend Frederick G. Morrison, The Right Reverend Donald M. Ashman, the Right Reverend Doctor John E. Upham, and The Right Reverend Frank W. Brulc, to serve in the Diocese of the Western States (DWS), Anglican Province of Christ the King (APCK).
Please read through Bishop Hansen’s biography and join in praying for him through this season ahead.
In 1967, Peter Hansen thought he’d train to be an architect, so he obtained a Bachelor of Architecture degree from U.C. Berkeley in 1972, only to wind up an estimator and project manager for three industrial special coatings contractors for 16 years.
God had other ideas. Called to be an Anglican priest, he completed a seminary degree from St. Joseph of Arimathea Anglican Theological College and was ordained in 1985, serving churches in Sacramento and Chico, California. He’s been rector of St. Augustine of Canterbury Church, Chico, since 1991.
Bishop Hansen is called to be priest to his congregation, and to his city as well. For over thirty years, Hansen has created and overseen a pro-life ministry (ChicoLife); trained for and served the Chico Police Department as president of the Chico Police Chaplains Association (1999 to 2016 and three-time Chaplain of the Year); led his congregation to purchase and renovate an historic church building at 3rd & Salem Streets in downtown Chico; served with Care Enough to Act suicide prevention, tutored with Reading Partners; helped launch Street Pastors of Chico; sat on the Enloe Hospital Bio-Ethics Committee; served on the Inspired Productions advisory board; was group leader and clergy counselor at The Growing Place counseling center.
In the APCK, Bishop Hansen has long served as Diocese of the Western States (DWS) and APCK Treasurer, DWS Canon to the Ordinary, and secretary of the American Church Union. He is a director and the Treasurer for St. Joseph of Arimathea Foundation. In the spring of 2017, Hansen was elected to serve as Bishop Suffragan by the Diocese of the Western States and on September 21, 2017, St. Matthew’s Day, Hansen was consecrated a bishop at All Saints Cathedral in Tulsa, Oklahoma, to serve the DWS as under The Rt. Rev. Donald Ashman.
At the retirement of the Most Rev. Frederick Morrison, Bishop Hansen was appointed by Archbishop John Upham to serve the Diocese of the Western States as episcopal visitor, treasurer and diocesan coordinator. In these offices, Bishop Hansen represents the current Archbishop Schultz, who is automatically the Bishop Ordinary by virtue of his offfice. Representing another, as with a vicar, Bishop Hansen’s duties are to see to the regular needs any parish or mission of the diocese may have, to call and coordinate Synod meetings, to visit churches on a regular basis, perform ordinations, confirmations, and consult with clergy over any need that arises.
Bishop Hansen lives in Chico with his wife, Giti Zarnegar Hansen, married since 1973. They have one son and four grandchildren who live in Texas. Bishop Hansen is also a fair hand at singing, guitar, and songwriting. He has published I WAS THERE, Eyewitnesses at the foot of the Cross (Westbow Press, 2014). He is writing for publication a series of mystery novels with a police chaplain and Anglican priest as the central character.
