Anglicans in the Yukon have elected the Right Rev. Larry Robertson as their new bishop over the weekend.

Robertson, who is currently an assistant bishop of the Anglican Diocese of the Arctic in Yellowknife, was chosen over three other candidates at the Yukon diocese's synod Saturday in Whitehorse.

"Somebody came and asked me if I would run, and we prayed about it for a long time," Robertson told CBC News after his election.

"I have a lot of connections with the diocese already, and so we felt it was good to let our names stand."

Robertson's term will officially begin in September. He succeeds current bishop, the Right Rev. Terry Buckle, who has led the Yukon diocese for the past 15 years but said it is now time for a change.

"This certainly will bring, I think, with the new leadership, a new vision and renewed energy, I hope," Buckle said. "That's what we're looking forward to."

Robertson has served as an Anglican minister in the Northwest Territories and Nunavut for almost 35 years.

Anglicans in the Yukon have been split over the issue of same-sex marriage, with some even leaving the church. Robertson said while he opposes same-sex marriage, he believes all Christians are welcome to the Yukon's Anglican churches.

"A member of the church is somebody who believes in Jesus Christ and who follows His will, and that's open to all," he said.

The Yukon diocese recently began a rebuilding process, with discussions underway about merging with the Arctic diocese's Mackenzie district in the Northwest Territories. Robertson said those talks will continue.