Another date set for election of Anglican Bishop

Reports are that another date has been set for the election of a new Anglican Bishop of Barbados.

This comes as efforts to elect a bishop on May 14th reached a stalemate, for a second time.

A previous attempt had been made on April 25th, 2018.

When the Elective Synod of the Anglican Church met at the Ivan Harewood Centre of the Christ Church Parish Church earlier in May, after three ballots, neither Rev. John Rogers, Rector of the St. George Parish Church; nor Dr. Jeffrey Gibson, Dean of the Cathedral Church of St. Michael and All Angels could be named as a clear winner to replace former Anglican Bishop Dr. John Holder, who retired earlier this year.

Rogers was said to have been favoured by the laity, and Gibson by the clergy. However, in order to be elected as bishop, a candidate must gain a two-thirds majority in both Houses – The House of Laity and The House of Clergy.

Diocesan Administrator, Canon Wayne Isaacs, later announced that a decision was taken to adjourn that session and reconvene at a date to be later determined. This was just one of four options presented to the Elective Synod after the stalemate resulted in much deliberation.

The new date for the election of the Anglican Bishop is Thursday June 7th at 5:30 p.m. at the Christ Church Parish Church Centre once again.

If no bishop is selected by the end of August, due to deadlocked sessions, the options are to either allow a select committee which would have until year-end to elect a bishop, or to send the matter to the House of Bishops for a decision to be made on who Barbados’ Anglican bishop will be.
(RSM)