duBois, Albert Julius

(June 9, 1906-June 6, 1980). Influential opponent of the ordination of women and a leader of splinter groups. He was born in Neenah, Wisconsin. DuBois received his B.A. from Lawrence College in 1928 and his S.T.B. from the General Theological Seminary in 1931. He was ordained deacon on Apr. 12, 1931, and priest on Nov. 1, 1931. From 1931 until 1935, he was rector of St. Mark's Church in Waupaca, and vicar of St. Olaf's Mission Church, both in Wisconsin. He was Canon Pastor of St. Paul's Cathedral, Fond du Lac, 1935-1938. During the years 1938-1941, and again from 1946-1950, he was rector of Ascension and St. Agnes Parish in Washington, D.C. During World War II, 1942-1946, duBois served as a chaplain in the army. In 1950 he became the first executive director of the American Church Union. He held that position until 1974. During those twenty-four years, duBois served as editor of the American Church News. From 1974 until 1977, he served as professor of liturgics and church history at the Episcopal Theological Seminary in Kentucky. In 1976 duBois became president of Episcopalians United, which was opposed to Prayer Book revision and the ordination of women. In 1977 he founded Anglicans United and became its first president. After renouncing the ordained ministry of the Episcopal Church, he was deposed on Sept. 28, 1977. DuBois supported and joined the Anglican Church of North America. On Jan. 7, 1978, the Convocation of the West Coast of the Diocese of the Holy Trinity in the Anglican Church of North America voted to leave the Diocese of the Holy Trinity and form a new diocese. It was opposed to both the Episcopal Church and the Anglican Church of North America. On that same day, duBois was elected Bishop Designate of the proposed new diocese. He was never consecrated. On June 29, 1978, the Pro-Diocese of St. Augustine of Canterbury was formed to restore unity between the Roman Catholic Church and the Anglicans. DuBois was the senior priest in the Pro-Diocese. He died in Long Beach, California.