Bishop Bruce was educated at King's School and King's College
before entering Auckland University (then a College of the University of New
Zealand), where he was conferred BSc in 1959. The following year he entered
St John's Theological College, and was awarded LTh in 1962. He gained a further
LTh (2nd class Hon) in 1964, and in 1974 was granted STh (Christian
Mission).
Ordained Deacon in 1962 and Priest in 1963, the Revd Gilberd was Curate
Assistant at Devonport (1962 - 1965), Ponsonby & Grey Lynn (1965) and
Panmure (1965 - 1968), before becoming Vicar of Avondale. In 1971 he moved to
England, holding until 1973 the positions of Industrial Chaplain to the
Teesside Industrial Mission and Curate Assistant at Egglescliffe.
Returning to Wellington, he became Director of ITIM until 1980, becoming
Chaplain to industries in Lower Hutt and supervising a team of industrial
chaplains. He was made Honorary Curate Assistant at Lower Hutt (1973 -
1977) and Priest Assistant at Waiwhetu (1977-79). In 1980, Bishop Bruce was
appointed Coordinator at St John's College with responsibility for Theological
Education by Extension, and was a member of General Synod. Consecrated in Holy
Trinity Cathedral on 7th December 1985, the Rt Revd Bruce Gilberd was
installed as Bishop of Auckland, retiring from the position in 1994.
Since then, Bishop Bruce has continued to assist the Church in a number of
capacities, including terms as Chaplain to the Albany Campus of Massey
University (1995); Priest-in-Charge of St Thomas' Church, Tamaki (1996);
Chaplain to Kings School (1997 - 2000) and Priest-in-Charge of the
Albany-Greenhithe Mission District 1995 - 2003.
For recreation, Bishop Bruce enjoys reading, fishing, sailing, theatre and
the company of his friends.