The Synodical Journals of the Diocese of The North Eastern Caribbean and Aruba (formerly the Diocese of Antigua) show that successive bishops, Synods and Councils have always sought to implement measures that would enhance the mission and ministry of the church. During the Diocesan Synod that was held in Anguilla in 1986, the name of the Diocese was changed from the Diocese of Antigua to the Diocese of the North Eastern Caribbean and Aruba. The Synod felt that the new name better reflected the composition of the Diocese with its twelve islands.
As part of the restructuring process, and in an effort to encourage greater participation in mission and ministry, Regional Councils were formed. So there are four Regional Councils comprising the clergy and laity in the Region. These Councils are Antigua, St. Kitts, Nevis and the Northern Region – Anguilla, Aruba, St. Barthelemy, St. Maarten/St. Martin, Saba and St. Eustatius.
On August 24th, 2017, the Diocese celebrated its 175th Anniversary. Please note that the Anglican Church has been in the West Indies for over 400 years. The first two Dioceses in the West Indies were created in 1824. Prior to that, the Church in the West Indies was administered from London. Later on other Dioceses were created. The 175th Anniversary of the diocese provided an opportunity to demonstrate that the culture and institutional life of the Diocese are not geographically stifled. With this in mind, the Diocesan Bishop presented two proposals to the Fiftieth Session of Synod which took place in Antigua from July 01-06, 2018.
The first proposal involved the erection of a third Archdeaconry and the re-branding of the existing Archdeaconries. So instead of the Archdeaconries of Antigua and St. Kitts, there would be three: the Southern Archdeaconry comprising the islands of Dominica, Montserrat, Antigua and Barbuda, the Central Archdeaconry comprising St. Kitts and Nevis and the Northern Archdeaconry comprising the islands of Anguilla, Aruba, St. Barthelemy, St. Maarten/St. Martin, Saba and St. Eustatius.
The second proposal was the designation of St. George’s Parish Church, Basseterre, St. Kitts, and St. Mary’s Parish Church, The Valley, Anguilla, as Pro-Cathedrals. The Synod gave its approval. What is a Pro-Cathedral? The Anglican definition of a Pro-Cathedral, in part, is: A church so named by a Diocesan Bishop. It is in under the governance of the Vestry and the Incumbent. It is used as a Cathedral for diocesan purposes, but without the formation of a legal Cathedral organization and without a Cathedral Chapter. The Cathedral Chapter consists of the Dean, Archdeacons and Canons.
In related news, the Bishop has appointed the Rev. Fr. Raliville Christian as Assistant Priest in the Parish of St. Mary’s Anguilla. His appointment will take effect from February 1st, 2019. Presently, Fr. Christian serves as an Assistant Curate in the Cathedral Parish, Antigua. We pray that God will continue to bless him and his family as they share in the mission and ministry of the church on Anguilla.
