WITH three knocks on the door of the Cathedral of St Jago de la Vega in the old capital, Spanish Town, St Catherine, on Sunday, the Anglican Diocese of Jamaica and the Cayman Islands began the liturgy of induction, investiture and enthronement for its 15th lord bishop.

The knock came from Right Reverend Leon Paul Golding, former suffragan bishop of Montego Bay.

When the doors were opened, he was received by the waiting congregation of clergy and lay people, who had elected him at a special synod of the church in March 2025.

Dressed in golden cape and mitre bearing the emblem of the diocese, he bid the people to permit him entry into the church as did lord bishop-designates before him.

After prayers for the church communion, country, and causes dear to Christians, the lord bishop was installed in the seat of authority to lead the Diocese in Jamaica and the Cayman Islands.

Led by chancellor of the diocese, former Chief Justice Zaila McCalla, and Registrar Rev Peter DePass, letters according episcopal rights and duties were read and acknowledged.

Among the ceremonial observances, outgoing Lord Bishop Howard Gregory passed to Golding the pastoral staff — the symbol of the shepherd of the Christian flock. The choir then sang Noel Dexter’s
Psalm 23 (The Lord is My Shepherd).

The liturgy featured prayers for the new diocesan bishop with the choir following up with a rousing rendition of
Te Deum Laudamus (C V Stanford in Bb). Then there was a fanfare of drums and mighty applause filling the centuries-old cathedral.

When Golding entered the pulpit of the cathedral he referenced the irony of having to knock and request entry to the place where his faith walk began in Jamaica as a member of the Cathedral Church. This elicited laughter from the congregation.

In his first sermon as diocesan, Golding declared thematically that, “We are the body of Christ,” and went on to acknowledge the various organs of the church working harmoniously to spread the message of truth and love.

He said that though the Church has divisions, with some research indicating “some 300,000 Christian denominations”, there was need for working together as Christ instructed. Golding called for unity, adding, “Christian witness is weakened and less effective because of these divisions.”

He referenced 1 Corinthians 12:12-14 from the Apostle Paul with the human body used as a metaphor for the Church “being one with all the members not all the same but united”.

“Let us bring the gifts that differ and, in splendid, varied ways, bring a new church into being, one in faith, and love, and praise,” he quoted from the hymn Summoned by the God who made us (#346 in the Church in the Province of the West Indies hymnal).

“God calls all of us,” he said, “no person and no gift should be despised.”

Golding encouraged church workers to engage government and non-government organisations and agencies who are in the mission of serving God’s people wherever they are.

Scripture readings for the service were presented by Golding’s daughter LeeAnne and Vincent Lawrence, with Deacon Anna-Lise Wisdom proclaiming the gospel.

Also participating in the service were Roman Catholic Archbishop of Kingston Kenneth Richards and Rev Wayneford McFarlane, representing Methodist Bishop Christine Gooden-Benguche, executive member of the Jamaica Council of Churches.

Visiting from the Diocese of Guyana was Bishop Charles Davidson.

Music for the service was guided by members of the Diocesan Festival Choir led by Audley Davidson. Ministry in music was presented by St Hilda’s Diocesan High School Choir, St Jago High School Choir, and Philippians Steel Band, with the worship replete with work from Jamaican composers and traditional hymns.

The church will in November convene an elective assembly to determine Golding’s successor as bishop of Montego Bay.

Golding was ordained a deacon in 1984, then priest in 1985. He served in several churches in Kingston, St Andrew, and St James. He was consecrated a suffragan bishop in 2012. He served as canonical administrator from January 1, 2025 upon the retirement of Gregory.

He is married to Lauren and together they have three children who are involved in the life of the church.

(Photo: RM Reid)

(Photo: R M Reid)