Anglicans to elect new Diocesan Bishop today

Approximately 200 clergy and lay representatives in the Diocese of Jamaica and the Cayman Islands (Anglican) will meet for a Special Synod today to elect a new Diocesan Bishop.

The successful candidate will succeed The Most Rev. Dr. The Hon. Howard Gregory, who served as the 14th Diocesan Bishop from May 2012 until his retirement on December 31, 2024.

The Special Synod, known as an Elective Assembly, will be held at St Luke’s Church Hall, Cross Roads, following an opening service at 9:00 am.

In keeping with the Constitution and Canons of the Church, a quorum of three-quarters of both the House of Clergy and the House of Laity is required for the election to proceed. Priests over the age of 30 from anywhere in the Anglican Communion are eligible for election. However, prospective candidates must provide written support from five members of the Synod and indicate in writing, on the prescribed nomination form, their willingness to serve.

The candidates will only be revealed after the assembly is duly constituted. They will be expected to withdraw from the assembly, which will debate the attributes of each nominee prior to the vote.

Members will vote in two houses – the House of Clergy and the House of Laity – and the elected candidate must receive two-thirds of the votes from each house. Candidates receiving less than 10 per cent of the votes in either category must withdraw from the contest.

The canons allow for up to 12 ballots until a candidate receives the necessary majority. If there is no clear winner after 12 ballots, the matter will be referred to a selection committee for a final decision.

Since the retirement of Archbishop Gregory, the Diocese has been managed by a canonical administrator, The Rt. Rev. Leon Golding, Suffragan Bishop of Montego Bay and Senior Bishop.