JAMAICAN Catholics were yesterday mourning the passing of Archbishop Emeritus of Kingston Lawrence Burke, who died at his home on Sunday evening following a battle with cancer.

Burke, who had served as the first Archbishop of The Bahamas, a position he kept for more than two decades before he returned to Jamaica to assume responsibility as the Archbishop of the Diocese of Kingston in 2004, retired in April 2008.

Yesterday, Prime Minister Bruce Golding as well as close friend and successor as Archbishop of Kingston, Donald Reece, both hailed Archbishop Burke as an individual who was not only instrumental in the Catholic faith but played a significant role in education.

“…I honour his tireless dedication to the field of education as a teacher, principal and advocate,” a Jamaica House release quoted Prime Minister Golding.

“A true educator, the Most Rev Burke used his priestly profession and calling to strengthen the quality of education and increase the number of places in Roman Catholic schools,” added the prime minister.

Archbishop Reece said: “We have lost a very good leader, not only in terms of the church, but in terms of the Jamaican society.”

He added that Archbishop Burke was heavily involved in education at St George’s College where he taught Christian values that helped to make good and responsible citizens.

“He was a very humorous and friendly person,” he said.

Archbishop Burke was born in Kingston on October 27, 1932 and was ordained a priest on June 16, 1964 at the Holy Trinity Cathedral in Kingston.