Warm Welcome for First Belizean Born Anglican Arch Bishop

It was a homecoming filled with pride and celebration this evening as His Grace, the Most Reverend Philip Wright returned to Belize. Clergy, government officials, and church members gathered to honor a historic milestone, his election as the first Belizean-born Archbishop and Metropolitan of the Anglican Church in the Province of the West Indies. It’s a moment that marks not just personal achievement, but national significance. Shane Williams has the story.

 

Shane Williams Reporting

Archbishop Wright’s election took place just days ago in The Bahamas at the Provincial Synod. Methodist Bishop reverend Elswith Clare congratulated him on behalf of the Council of Churches.

 

Reverend Elswith Clare, Methodist Bishop

“Today we are honoring a new chapter of spiritual leadership. On behalf of the Methodist Church of the Belize Honduras District, the Roman Catholic Church of Belize, the Salvation Army of Belize, the Chinese Christian mission. And the Belize Chinese Church and other members of the Belize Council of Churches and the entire community. It is with warm, heartfelt joy and profound respect that we extend our warmest congratulation and sincere welcome to you, his grace the most Reverend Philip S. Wright, newly elected Archbishop and primate metropolitan of the church of the Province of the West Indies.”

 

As Archbishop, Wright now becomes the spiritual leader for eight dioceses across the Caribbean — from Barbados to Guyana, Jamaica, Trinidad, the Bahamas, and beyond. The role places him at the forefront of regional unity, doctrine, and pastoral direction. However, his grace hopes most of all that his ascension results in a revival of the church right here at home.

 

His Grace Philip S. Wright, ArchBishop

“I’m hoping that given that is true, that actually what it will lead to more than anything else is hopefully more people making a commitment to God and to the work of his church. What I wouldn’t want it to be is, uh, is about me. If you, if you see what I’m trying to say. At the end of the day, yes, there are things that might be historical about this moment, and that is fine, and the record books will record that. But I, if there is a momentum, if there’s an energy here, I hope it will encourage people to look at their own relationship with God, their life in the church and seek to improve both. And with that, I think indeed we can have a further impact on our society and on the lives of our people..”

 

Wright has served as Bishop of Belize since 2005, during which he has championed Christian education, youth engagement, parish renewal, and community outreach. Dr. Louis Zabaneh, Minister of Religious Affairs, shared government’s congratulations and emphasized the importance of close church-state relations.

 

Dr. Louis Zabaneh, Minister Religious Affairs

“I’ve known him for many years and, you know, he’s beloved by all across the country. And so it’s a, it’s for all of us. I know it’s the Anglican Church, but we in the entirety of Belize celebrate this milestone. We know he’s the second one to have gotten this elevation, but we, we are very, very proud. And so, you know to welcome him back to Belize and to let him know that we are here with him and we’re enjoying this very, very special moment in our history.”

 

For Belize, his elevation is significant — placing the country at the center of Anglican leadership across the Caribbean. And for the church, it marks the beginning of a new chapter guided by a Bishop whose ministry has been shaped right here at home with ecumenical unity being an important agenda.

 

His Grace Philip Wright

“I’ve always been a strong supporter of the ecumenical movement. Among the reasons is I think no one of us has all the answers, and it is when we come together in humility and respect that we can learn from one another, share what sometimes people call best practices. But we can learn from each other and we can recognize that we are on one journey, a journey towards the fullest apprehension of who God is and the power of his love.”

 

Archbishop Wright will continue his duties as Bishop of Belize while now overseeing Anglican affairs across the region. His official insertion as Archbishop is scheduled for early next year. Shane Williams for News Five.