KINGSTON, Jamaica — People’s National Party (PNP) President, Dr Peter Phillips, says he is saddened by news of the death of retired 13th Lord Bishop of Jamaica and the Cayman Islands, The Right Reverend Alfred Reid.

“Bishop Reid was one of the outstanding Lord Bishops of Jamaica. He was a voice of truth in the Church and in the nation and a great man of integrity who was very influential in the Anglican Church in Jamaica, and in the Province of the West Indies and beyond,” Phillips said.

Bishop Reid, who was 82 years-old, served the Anglican Diocese of Jamaica as priest and Bishop for many years, he had been ailing for the last few months.

“He was a patriot who believed in the goodness of the Jamaican people, our culture and our potential, and was essentially a humanitarian who contributed much to nation building. He also made significant impact with the modernization of the Anglican communion in Jamaica, both liturgically and musically,” Phillips added.

In a PNP press release, Phillips said Bishop Reid was also known for his creativity as he is credited, along with a group of others, for the introduction of Reggae Mass which Jamaicanised the music used in the Anglican Eucharist.

“On behalf of the People’s National Party, I offer condolences to Bishop Reid’s wife, Gloria, their three children – Randall, Annette and Damian and four grandchildren, the rest of his family, friends and parishioners of the Anglican Church,” Phillips said.