C.P.W.I. Member

The Anglican Diocese of Belize is a part of the worldwide Anglican Communion, and a member of the Church in the Province of the West Indies. The Province of the West Indies includes the Dioceses of Barbados, Guyana, Jamaica & The Cayman Islands, Nassau & The Bahamas, North Eastern Caribbean & Aruba, Trinidad & Tobago, and the Windward Islands and, of course, Belize. These dioceses were originally Church of England missions in territories that became British colonies.

The current Archbishop of Province of the West Indies is The Most Revd Dr. The Hon  John Holder, Bishop of Barbados

The West Indies became a self-governing Province of the worldwide Anglican Communion in 1883 because of the Church of England missions in territories that became British colonies. It is made up of two mainland dioceses and six island dioceses, including Barbados, Belize, Guyana, Jamaica, Nassau and the Bahamas, Tobago, Trinidad, and the Windward Islands. Great emphasis is being placed on training personnel for an indigenous ministry. The island locations and scattered settlements make pastoral care difficult and costly.

Barbados

Belize

Guyana

Jamaica & The Cayman Islands

Nassau & The Bahamas

North Eastern Caribbean & Aruba

Trinidad & Tobago

Windward Islands

Primate:

The Most Revd & The Hon Dr John Holder Bishop John Holder

trained for the ordained ministry at Codrington College, Barbados and continued his studies at the University of the South, USA. He completed a PhD at King’s College London in 1984. His specialities are in Old Testament hermeneutics and the writings of Second Temple Judaism. In the 1980s and 90s he held a number of academic posts in the West Indies and was a visiting Professor in Seminaries in the United States. During this time he was also active in parish ministry in several parishes in the Diocese of Barbados. He was consecrated Bishop of Barbados in 2000.

Bishop John’s academic publications have focused on the Old Testament, but have reflected his concern for Christian ministry in the Caribbean. He has also published biblical reflections and is a contributor to Light for Our Path. His biblical reflections are based on his academic scholarship but aim to be accessible for those who do not have an academic training.

In his role as Bishop he is involved in the life of Barbados and chairs the Religious Advisory Committee on National Affairs, a body which offers advice to the Barbadian Government. He is also a member of the Privy Council. He is the Chair of the Barbados Christian Council and of the Inter-faith HIV/AIDS Commission.

In 2004 he published a study guide to enable his pastors to engage with critical areas of pastoral concern entitled The Bible in the Anglican Tradition – The Bible and Human Sexuality.

He has served the global Anglican Communion and from 2001 to 2006 he was a member of the Advisory Group to the Anglican Observer to the United Nations. In 2006 he attended the St Augustine’s Seminar which met to plan the 2008 Lambeth Conference.

Provincial Secretary:

Mrs Elenor Lawrence

Geographical Area:

276,910 Sq Km

Population:

5,320,600