By Angela Pidduck, Trinidad and Tobago's Newsday newspaper.
Two nominations have been received by the Diocesan Secretary, Sonia Noel, for the post of Coadjutor Bishop of the Anglican Bishop of Trinidad and Tobago. They are Canon Claude Berkley, rector of All Saints Parish, and the Venerable Archdeacon Edwin Primus, rector of St Stephen’s Parish and Archdeacon (South).
The Elective Assembly, made up of the orders of clergy and parish lay delegates who were members of the annual Synod in May, will meet on Sunday, at 3 pm in the Good Shepherd Parish Hall, Tunapuna. For the purpose of the election, the 51 members of the clergy and 81 members of the laity will vote by separate orders. For a person to be declared elected, that person shall have received no less than two-thirds of the vote of each of the two orders. Members will be expected to vote for one candidate only.
The Coadjutor will provide episcopal assistance to His Lordship the Right Reverend Calvin Bess, Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Trinidad and Tobago, until his retirement on December 18, 2011, at which time the Coadjutor will succeed as Bishop, without further election or confirmation.
Tobago-born Canon Berkley is 53 years old and married. He was nominated by Father Richard Jacob and Dianne Piper-Salandy. Archdeacon Primus, a Trinidadian, age 50, is also married. He was nominated by Father Wilson Thomas and Pamela Redhead.
Bishop Bess will act as chairman of the assembly, which starts with the Litany and Holy Eucharist.
The proposer and seconder will present each candidate who will then be asked to respond to written questions communicated to them before the date of the election. Following which the voting and counting of ballots take place.
ENDS