After serving as an Assistant Anglican Parish Priest in Anguilla, for over two years, the Reverend Fr. Raliville Christian has completed his ministry on the island.
He arrived in Anguilla in February 2019 and will be returning to his native Antigua on August 5. A special farewell service will be held for him at St. Augustine’s Anglican Church, East End, on Sunday, August 1, commencing at 4.30 pm.
The Anguillian newspaper, which frequently reported on his ministry, asked the reverend gentleman how he enjoyed his work on the island.
“Well, it is unbelievable,” he replied. “Anguillians are great people. They love you, and love you again. I couldn’t deserve better. I remember when the Bishop confronted me, and made the proposal of coming to Anguilla, he said there were two guarantees he could give me: Anguillians love people and that I would live long – with the tranquillity and the whole walk of life there. I really enjoyed Anguilla since I have been here.”
Noting the relatively long period he had been in Anguilla, the newspaper inquired of Rev. Christian how he managed without his family on the island. “I am looking forward to re-joining my family,” he stated. “They understood where I stand when it comes to God’s ministry and doing His work. At times there have been struggles but there has to be a balance – your family and the family of the church. But they will be proud to see me coming home although part of my heart will be in Anguilla.”
He went on: “I am married to a very beautiful lady…We have three adult daughters – 21, 23 and 28 years of age. They still love their daddy and mommy and we are very, very close. I also have a grandson as well. My wife is an Assistant Administrator at the Deanery – the Cathedral Parish. Her name is Francine Christian.”
Rev. Christian was asked what he will be doing back in his homeland, Antigua. “Through the guidance of Almighty God and His representative here, in this particular vineyard, Bishop Brooks, he has found it fit to appoint me to the Parish of St. Pauls with St. Barnabas and I am looking forward to that.”
The outgoing Minister took the opportunity to stress that he felt loved and cared for by the people of Anguilla. “When I said the people, I am not just referring whether they are Anglicans or in other denominations,” he explained. “I am talking about the entire island of Anguilla. I said to the Bishop that I haven’t come across anyone who didn’t appreciate me. They have all been really appreciative of me since I came here.”
Asked whether he was looking forward to any promotion in Antigua, he replied: “You may call it a promotion since I was assisting the Bishop in Anguilla. I am now an Assistant Priest but I will be a Parish Priest with oversight for St. Pauls with St. Barnabas in Antigua.”
Rev. Christian, a graduate of Codrington Theological College in Barbados, was ordained a Deacon in February 2011 and a Priest in March 2012. He was attached to St. John’s Cathedral in Antigua before he was transferred to Anguilla.
Commenting on Rev Christian’s service in Anguilla, the Rt. Rev. L. Errol Brooks said: “He endeared himself to the people and they loved him. He has been away from his family for a long time. He is going back to Antigua to reunite with his family – plus he will be in charge of a parish rather than playing second fiddle to somebody else.”
The Anguillian Rt. Reverend Brooks, who is the Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of the North-Eastern Caribbean and Aruba, disclosed who will be replacing Rev. Christian in Anguilla. “He will be the Rev. Canon Reid Simon who is also from Antigua,” the Bishop said. “He will be accompanied by his wife, Mrs. Turkeffa Reid, and his son, Mathew.”
Canon Simon will serve as Parish Priest in Anguilla at a time when Bishop Brooks is expected to retire.
The Bishop’s coming retirement will be a regrettable matter for the people of Anguilla. They hold him in very high esteem for his devoted service and leadership on the island, and for being an Anguillian Christian Ambassador in the Caribbean region. Since his enthronement as Bishop he opted to serve as a Parish Priest in Anguilla rather than occupying the historic and lofty St. John’s Cathedral in Antigua. Over the years he has been using his base in Anguilla to travel through the 12-member Diocese of the North-Eastern Caribbean and Aruba in the furtherance of his duties.
