Church called to be part of Jamaica’s governance, declares new Anglican head
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Bishop Leon Golding preaching at his enthronement as Anglican Bishop of Jamaica and the Cayman Islands at the Cathedral of St Jago de la Vega in Spanish Town, the oldest Anglican church outside of the United Kingdom, on September 28, 2025.
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The cross leading the recession following enthronement of Bishop Leon Golding at the Cathedral of St Jago de la Vega in Spanish Town, the oldest Anglican church outside of the United Kingdom, on September 28, 2025.
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Anglican Bishop of Jamaica and the Cayman Islands Leon Golding leading the communion at his enthronement at the Cathedral of St Jago de la Vega in Spanish Town, the oldest Anglican church outside of the United Kingdom, on September 28, 2025.
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Dr Howard Gregory, retired Anglican Bishop of Jamaica and the Cayman Islands at the enthronement of his successor Bishop Leon Golding at the Cathedral of St Jago de la Vega in Spanish Town, the oldest Anglican church outside of the United Kingdom, on September 28, 2025.
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A section of the clergy at the enthronement of Bishop Leon Golding as head of the Anglican Church in Jamaica and the Cayman Islands at the Cathedral of St Jago de la Vega in Spanish Town, the oldest Anglican church outside of the United Kingdom, on September 28, 2025.
The Christian Church must play an active role in Jamaica’s governance and moral fabric, newly installed Anglican Bishop of Jamaica and the Cayman Islands, Leon Golding, declared on Sunday.
Preaching under the theme of unity at his enthronement service, Bishop Golding said the church could not afford to be insular or confined to prayer alone, but must engage in the decision-making processes of the nation.
“The church is called to be part of the decision-making process in the country and must be stewards of the gifts given by God. And this Jamaica land we love is one such gift given to us,” he told the congregation gathered at the Spanish Town-based Cathedral of St Jago de la Vega, the oldest Anglican church outside of the United Kingdom.
Golding cautioned against those who would want the church to remain passive.
“Of course there are those who would want the church to remain behind close doors in prayer and only address the symptoms of evil. For the church to do this it would have failed in its mandate for Christ," he said to the large congregation.
Bishop Golding declared that the church is “the body of Christ and it has to be an extension of Christ’s ministry in the world. Those who follow Christ must get involved in the business of the world, a world Christ came to save.”
He further urged unity across divides, stressing that the church must be ready to “sit at the table with others who are different and unite against the evils of the time.”
The Diocese described the occasion as an affirmation of the example set by Jesus Christ.
Golding, a 41-year veteran of ordained ministry, was formally admitted and accepted by church members as their shepherd at a service attended by a cross-section of Jamaican, including Anglican and other Christian leaders, along with high-ranking officials in business and public service.
A graduate of the United Theological College of the West Indies and the University of Birmingham in England, Bishop Golding has served in several parishes including St Mary, St Andrew, Kingston, and St James, where he was appointed rector during his decades-long ministry. His elevation has left the seat of the Bishop of Montego Bay vacant.
He now becomes the 15th diocesan bishop since the Rt. Rev. Christopher Lipscomb was installed in 1825. Bishop Golding succeeds Dr Howard Gregory, who served from 2012 until his retirement in December 2024.
- Rudy Mathison
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