Phillip Wright Becomes First Belizean Archbishop of the West Indies

Belize made history. For the first time ever, the Anglican Church has chosen a born-and-raised Belizean to lead the entire Province of the West Indies. Meet His Grace Phillip S. Wright, now Archbishop Wright, who returned home to celebrate a milestone that’s bigger than himself. It’s a moment that honors decades of service and fills an entire nation with pride. Archbishop Wright grew up on the southside of Belize City and felt the call to ministry before he was even a teenager. Today, that calling has taken him to the highest seat in the region. And while the title is grand, the responsibility is even greater. He’ll need to lean on his faith like never before as he steps into this new role. News Five’s Paul Lopez takes us inside the life and journey of Archbishop Phillip Wright in tonight’s edition of Belize on Reel.

 

Paul Lopez, Reporting

On Friday a brief homecoming celebration was held in Belize City to recognize the first Belizean to elevate to the position of Archbishop in the Anglican Church.

 

Dr. Louis Zabaneh, Minister of Religious Affairs

“This is a special day for all of us in Belize, our Belizean born bishop is now His Grace the Most Revert Phillip S. Wright, Archbishop of the Church in the Province of the West Indies. It says a lot about his service over the years.”

 

 

 

His Grace Philip S. Wright, Archbishop

“There are only three orders in the church, deacon, priest and bishop. So, I am still a bishop. You become an archbishop in that you attain to a senior position, especially in the house of bishops. We have a term we use for archbishops; they are the first among equals, meaning I am still a bishop like all my fellow bishops, but when there are meetings, I will chair the meetings. I stay in touch with them to give support to their ministry in their various dioceses. And of course there is a province which I will now have oversight. And beyond the Caribbean, beyond the region, as an archbishop you also get to sit on some of the international bodies of the Anglican church.”

 

 

At fifty-eight-years old, Archbishop Phillip Wright never saw himself ascending to this level of service in ministry. But he remembers feeling a strong sense of calling on his life at nine years old, as a child growing up in southside Belize City.

 

His Grace Philip S. Wright

“I remember from as early as that age thinking about what it would be like to be a priest. It moved a few feet forward during my confirmation class. I think that is when I really decided I wanted to be a priest. That was about age twelve, thirteen, I was already a server acolyte assisting the priest at the altar. I went to high school and I majored in science and my entire family thought I would become an engineer or something like that.”

 

 

 

But his interest and desire to be a priest never waned. From Wesley High School to Belize Technical College, at twenty-two-years-old he went off to seminary for three years.  Ordained a deacon at age twenty-five, a priest shortly after, and a bishop at age thirty-eight, Archbishop Phillip Wright has devoted his entire life to the service of God and country.

 

 

 

 

Reverend Elswith Clare, Methodist Bishop

“Your election reflects the trust the church places in your spiritual guidance through your dedication, faithfulness, pastoral wisdom, your steadfast commitment to the gospel, and the service of God and his people.”

 

 

 

His Grace Philip S. Wright

“As a religious person I realize one of the privileges we have is not only to enter people’s lives at sometimes the most significant and meaningful moments, but we are also called to journey with people, but in a sense, we are all on this journey. We are all seeking purpose and meaning in life. We all want to know that our life has value. And I think as a religious leader, we are called to help people along those path, as we ourselves travel.”

 

 

 

In our conversation with Archbishop Phillip Wright, we sought the answer to an age-old question that people around the world grapple with. If God is good, then why does evil exist?

 

His Grace Philip S. Wright

“I think it is a question no religion has been able to properly answer. The term we use is that it is a fallen world. And I think even the authors of the bible are saying to us that it was always meant to be better than this. So, in a sense you accept that there is evil in the world. You accept things that don’t always work out. But that is balanced with a hope that the God we serve is in control and he does have a brighter future for us.”

 

 

 

Archbishop Wright expressed gratitude for the well wishes and congratulatory messages he has been receiving from across the country and region. Reporting for News Five, I am Paul Lopez.