Another attempt will be made to elect an Anglican bishop for Barbados on May 14.
This follows the April 25 meeting of clergy and laity which failed to give either Dean of the Cathedral of St Michael and All Angels, Dr Jeffrey Gibson, or Rector of St George, Reverend John Rogers, the required two-thirds vote to secure the position as head of Barbados’ largest denomination.
The Elective Synod, comprising the 91-member House of Clergy, made up of all priests from the 44 Anglican churches, and the 84-member House of Laity, comprising Synod members from each church, will reconvene at the Ivan Harewood Complex, Christ Church Parish Centre to continue the process of electing a bishop.
Unlike the first time, the elections will not be preceded by a Eucharistic Synod Mass at the Christ Church Parish Church. Instead the procedure will begin with devotions before the Synod begins the process of nominating candidates once again.
Some Anglicans are hoping this second attempt will be less contentious than last week’s meeting when the laity showed an overwhelming preference for the younger Rogers as reflected in the voting pattern, while the clergy strongly supported the more senior Gibson.
If Synod again fails to elect a bishop, a decision will have to be made on one of four options.
The options are to receive further nominations; to continue voting; to delegate the choice of a bishop to a selection committee or to adjourn to another date when such steps as are appropriate would be repeated. (GC)
