Canon Ronald Branche says goodbye to the Anglican parish of St James The Just, Sangre Grande, at today's annual Harvest. Bishop Calvin Bess will open the harvest with the celebration of Holy Eucharist at 10 am, followed by lunch and all that contributes to an enjoyable day.
Canon Branche and his wife, Heather, leave on Friday May 10 for Tortola in the British Virgin Islands, where he has been appointed rector of St George Anglican Episcopal Church. After six years of ministry in the parish which includes St Christopher in Valencia, St Mary Magdalene at Manzanilla, St John's at Biche, Church of the Epiphany in Matura, St George the Martyr in Salibya and St James the Just.
On March 31, 2000, the then Reverend Branche was named Coadjutor Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Trinidad and Tobago by a Selection Committee of laity and clergy, chaired by the Chancellor of the Diocese, Madam Justice Paula Mae Weekes. This occurred after Canon Winston Joseph whom Father Branche had previously presented for the position, and Canon Noel Titus, twice failed to receive the specified majority of votes needed from the Elective Assembly to be appointed Coadjutor Bishop.
Canon Joseph is now Rector of St Patrick's Episcopal Church in West Palm Beach, Florida.
However, on August 30, 2000, at a meeting of the House of Bishops of the Anglican Province of the West Indies in Barbados, the electoral process by which Father Branche was named Coadjutor Bishop, was declared flawed. The Selection Committee had not been appointed by the Elective Assembly of the Diocese but by the lay people in the regions and the clergy. A new Selection Committee was appointed on September 23. Madam Justice Weekes withdrew as chairman and was replaced by a former Registrar of the Diocese, Justice Cecil Kelsick. Three persons were nominated by the new Committee, Canon Titus, Father Branche, and Canon Calvin Bess who received the nod and was enthroned Bishop of The Diocese of Trinidad and Tobago on April 21, 2001.
Says Canon Branche about his move to Tortola "I was invited to consider taking up an appointment, was interviewed up there, and they have agreed to have me come to serve. I see this as an opportunity to embrace a wider vision of ministry in a different context and a different culture. It is not for good as I hope to be back here one day. But then this may also provide an opportunity for continuing education."