KINGSTON, Jamaica — Leon Golding has been elected the new diocesan bishop of the Anglican Church in Jamaica and the Cayman Islands.

Golding, who previously served as suffragan bishop of Montego Bay, was elected on Monday during an elective assembly of the Anglican Church in Jamaica and the Cayman at St Luke Church in Cross Roads.

He will lead the over 200 congregations across the diocese and see to the direction of the bishopric.

Golding succeeds Howard Gregory as diocesan and is the 15th bishop of the 200-year-old diocese.

He was the sole nominee in the election and was the favoured choice in the lead-up. The canons of the church allow for 12 rounds of voting.

Golding has served in several leadership positions before his appointment to the role. He served as a deacon at the St Andrew Parish Church from 1984 to 1988. He subsequently served as a rector in St Mary in the Port Maria Cure, (1988 – 1990); St Andrew in the Stony Hill Cure (1990 – 2000); Kingston at the Parish Church (2002 – 2008) and St James at the Church of the Holy Trinity, Westgate, Montego Bay from 2008 until his election.

Golding holds a Bachelor of Arts in Theology, a diploma in ministerial studies from the United Theology College of the West Indies, and a master of philosophy degree, which he obtained in 1966 from the University of Birmingham in England.

He is married and has three children — Lisa, LeeAnne and Luke-Paul.