The Anglican Church in Jamaica and the Cayman Islands met in an elective assembly on Monday with Leon Paul Golding emerging as its lord bishop-elect.

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 was elected in one, which took place at St Luke’s Church in Cross Roads.

After receiving resounding applause from the members of the assembly, the bishop-elect was near-emotional as he offered thanks and appreciation for the confidence displayed in his episcopacy.

“I know that I am not here on my own strength, I know I didn’t get here on my own strength,” he said as he thanked those who have supported and helped to build his ministry, both clergy and laity.

Golding was sure to recognise the work of his predecessor, Howard Gregory, who retired on December 31, 2024 after serving as bishop of Jamaica and the Cayman Islands for over 12 years.

“We must continue those things that are necessary for the building of the diocese… As we go forward, we do so standing on the shoulders of those who have gone before us…” asserted the clergyman, as he referenced that his journey started from his Sunday school teacher as a youngster at the Cathedral Church in Spanish Town, St Catherine.

The elective assembly comprised 97 clergy and 117 lay representatives. Golding received 94 votes from the house of clergy and 110 from the house of laity, significantly more than the two-thirds majority required by the canons to secure an election.

The bishop-elect recommitted himself to “to serve Christ and His Church” in his new role as head of the communion.

Golding had been elected the fourth suffragan bishop of Montego Bay on September 25, 2012 and was consecrated to that office on November 16, 2012 at St James Parish Church.

He was ordained a deacon in 1984 and a priest in 1985.

He spent his years curacy at St Andrew Parish Church until 1988. He subsequently served as a rector in four parishes: St Mary in the Port Maria Cure (1988 – 1990); St Andrew in the Stony Hill Cure (1990 – 2000); Kingston Parish Church (2002 – 2008), and Church of the Holy Trinity, Westgate, Montego Bay, from 2008 until his election as suffragan bishop.

In his last two appointments he also served as archdeacon of Kingston and Montego Bay, respectively.

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

Bishop-elect Golding will be enthroned at a time when the church’s youth continue to clamour for change and recognition for their active role in the life of the post-pandemic church.

He will also be called upon the navigate the differing views in the worldwide Anglican Communion.

His elevation leaves the bishopric of Montego Bay vacant and it is within his remit to nominate a candidate(s) to the church’s synod for election.