Diocesan Administrator, Canon Wayne Isaacs as he spoke with the
media.
Although persons would have speculated that them not being able to reach a decision means that the Synod is ‘in confusion’, Diocesan Administrator, Canon Wayne Issacs pointed out that they were simply following protocol.
Issacs made this comment to the media following the conclusion of the third meeting of the Elective Synod of the Anglican Church where they were unable to clearly elect a winner to replace former Anglican Bishop Dr. John Holder.
“I don’t see us not being able to choose a bishop as yet as us having a problem. There is a process to be followed and the process says that we must receive two thirds in the two houses. And there is nothing that we can do to shorten it, so it might appear as though we are in confusion but we are just allowing the process to run its course,” he said.
“It’s best to say that we have a situation where by one body received two thirds in the house of Laity but nobody received two thirds in the house of Clergy.”
The Synod met at the Ivan Harewood Centre of the Christ Church Parish just after 6pm Thursday night and after nearly six hours of voting, there was no clear decision made between Rev. John Rogers, Rector of the St. George Parish Church or Dr. Jeffrey Gibson, Dean of the Cathedral Church of St. Michael and All Angels.
Following what appeared to be a fairly stressful session, Issacs told the media that no one had gotten two thirds in the two houses, The House of Laity and the House of Clergy. He revealed that they have decided to adjourn and meet for a fourth meeting at a date which is to be set.
Issacs noted that they can go up to the 28th of August to host meetings to elect a new bishop on their own. If this fails, he revealed that the House of Bishops would then have to elect a new Bishop for Barbados.
Issacs highlighted that until a Bishop is “enthroned”, he will continue in his role of administrator.