“He was instrumental in getting the Diocese of Jamaica’s name changed to what is now the Diocese of Jamaica and the Cayman Islands.”

The Rt. Rev. and Hon. Alfred C. Reid left the Cayman Islands for the last time on Tues 15th Nov. as the Bishop of Jamaica and the Cayman Islands. He presided at a Confirmation service at St George’s Anglican Church on the preceding Sunday. A special farewell reception for the retiring Bishop was held at St George’s Hall on Mon (14). Presentations and speeches were made by two of the church’s trustees, Mr. Lemuel Hurlston (who was also M.C.) and the Cayman Islands Chief Justice, Hon. Anthony Smellie. Bishop Reid was accompanied by his wife, Gloria. He made a farewell speech that was a mixture of jokes and an explanation of his involvement in how he was instrumental in getting the Diocese of Jamaica’s name changed to what is now the Diocese of Jamaica and the Cayman Islands.

Bishop Reid’s pastoral journey began in 1960 when he was ordained Deacon. He entered the priesthood in 1961, and served for five years as Curate at the St. James Parish Church in Montego Bay, before assuming responsibility for the Lucea Cure in Hanover. His subsequent assignments included Rector of the Vere Cure, Clarendon; Rector of the Stony Hill Cure, St. Andrew; Chaplain of the Jamaica Defence Force; and Acting Anglican Warden at the United Theological College of the West Indies (UTCWI). On July 26, 1980, he was consecrated Bishop of Montego Bay and he served in that capacity for 20 years before his election as Bishop of Jamaica on December 12, 2000.

He was enthroned as the 13th Bishop of Jamaica on January 25, 2001 at the Cathedral of St. Jago de la Vega, Spanish Town, and in the ensuing decade, he has worked to preserve the heritage of the Church while, at the same time promoting innovative religious expression. In addition to his Diocesan responsibilities, he has been the Bishop in charge of the Eastern Jamaica Region since 2005.

In his 50 years as a priest, Bishop Reid has contributed to the work of several Diocesan committees, as well as the Boards of local and regional educational and religious institutions, including the United Theological College of the West Indies (UTCWI).

He chaired the Provincial Commission on Liturgy and Music which was responsible for reprinting the Book of Common Prayer in 2007 and publishing the new CPWI (Church in the Province of the West Indies) Hymnal in June 2010. The Prayer Book and Hymnal are used by Anglican Churches throughout the English-speaking Caribbean. He is also a member of the Ecumenical Association of Third World Theologians and the International Anglican Liturgical Consultation.

Bishop Reid is a graduate of St. Peter’s College, which trained Anglican clergy in Jamaica prior to the establishment of the UTCWI in which the Anglican Church is an ecumenical partner. He holds the Bachelor of Divinity Degree from the Episcopal Theological College, the Master’s in Education from Boston College and the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Divinity from the Episcopal Divinity School. A son of the Parish of Manchester, he was awarded the National Honour of Order of Jamaica in 2005. He and his wife Gloria have been married for 45 years. They have three children – Randall, Annette and Damian, and four grandchildren.