The Most Rev. Dr. The Hon. Howard Gregory, OJ, Archbishop of the West Indies and Bishop of Jamaica and the Cayman Islands (Anglican), will be installed in the International Ecumenical Cathedra at the Cathedral of St. John The Divine, New York during a special Service on Sunday, December 1. The Bishop of New York, The Rt. Rev. Matthew Heyd, will preside at the Service which begins at 4.00 pm; and Archbishop Gregory will deliver the Sermon.
The Cathedra, or Bishop’s Throne, is a symbolic chair that represents the Cathedral’s commitment to ecumenism and to fostering dialogue, understanding and peace among people of all faiths. It is a visible sign of the Cathedral’s mission established by its Trustees more than 125 years ago “to be a house of prayer for all people, an instrument of church unity and a centre of intellectual light and leading in the Spirit of Jesus Christ.”
The Mother Church of the Episcopal Diocese of New York, the Cathedral has engaged in numerous advocacy initiatives throughout its long history. The installation or seating of Archbishops and Bishops from around the world is one way in which it emphasizes the importance of unity and cooperation among all people.
Prior to his consecration as a Bishop in the Diocese of Jamaica and The Cayman Islands, Archbishop Gregory served for 22 years as a member of the Faculty of the United Theological College of the West Indies (UTCWI) where he played a seminal role in preparing students of all denominations for the ordained ministry. He was President of that institution for 12 years.
He is an Executive Member of the Jamaica Council of Churches of which he is a Past President. Further afield, Archbishop Gregory has served on the Inter-Anglican Standing Commission on Unity, Faith and Order; and was also Co-Chair of the International Reformed/Anglican Dialogue.
He is currently Chair of the Commission for Theological Education in the Anglican Communion(CTEAC). Other Bishops who have been installed in the International Ecumenical Cathedra include The Rt. Rev. Katharine Jefferts Schori and The Rt. Rev. Michael Curry, former Presiding Bishops of the Episcopal Church; and The Rt. Rev. and Rt. Hon. Sarah Mullally, Bishop of London – the first female Bishop outside the Episcopal Church to be so honoured.
The Installation of Archbishop Gregory will be live streamed on the Cathedral’s YouTube
Channel and also at:
The Service will be followed by a celebration including the Cathedral’s Caribbean members and
featuring the Region’s rich cultural traditions.
