Jamaica's sixth Governor General: An Adventist Church leader

[John317]

Jamaica's sixth Governor General: An Adventist Church leader

From Christian B. Schäffler <APD@stanet.ch>

Date Mon, 19 Jan 2009 06:51:57 +0100

Jamaica's sixth Governor General: An Adventist Church leader

Allen brings commitment to restorative justice to country's highest post

Kingston/Jamaica, 19.01.2009/APD Jamaican Prime Minister Bruce Golding

announced in Parliament yesterday that Patrick Linton Allen (58), the

president of West Indies Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, would

replace Sir Kenneth Hall as Jamaica?s sixth Governor General. Hall is to

retire on February 26 because of health reasons.

Allen, a veteran Seventh-day Adventist Church leader in the Caribbean, is

current president of the Adventist Church's West Indies Union. As Governor

General, Allen will be required to relinquish his active posts in the

church. Allen is expected to take office in late February, Golding said.

Appointed by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Allen will serve as the queen's

direct representative in Jamaica on ceremonial occasions, such as the

opening of parliament and the presentation of state honours, according to

the Jamaica Information Service. While the role is non-political, Jamaica's

constitution does allow the governor-general to appoint and oversee officers

of civil service.

Allen said his Adventist faith would "undergird" his new role. "Any

decisions I make will be cast in justice, equity and compassion," he said.

Restorative justice is one area Allen said he expects to devote considerable

attention to, working within Jamaica's justice system to mediate between

perpetrators and victims. Allen said he shared Adventist world church

president Jan Paulsen's commitment to social justice and would commit his

"leadership and influence" to emphasizing human rights and community

involvement in his new role.

The office of the world church president released a statement this afternoon

congratulating Allen on his appointment. "We pray for God's continued

blessing as he carries out his new civic responsibilities," the statement

said.

Allen brings a strong educational background to the position. After

attending Moneague Teachers College in Jamaica, Allen later earned three

degrees -- including a doctorate in Educational Administration and

Supervision -- from Adventist-owned Andrews University in Berrien Spring,

Michigan.

Allen has served in many posts within and outside the Adventist Church,

including president of the Central Jamaican Conference, director of

Education and Family Life at the West Indies Union Conference and district

pastor, overseeing more than 20 churches and companies.

Allen also serves on a number of national and international boards and

committees, including the Executive Committee of the Adventist world church

and the Police Civilian Oversight Authority, which serves to assure that the

police force functions within the law and citizens' rights are maintained.

Allen also acts as Justice of the Peace for the Parish of Manchester,

Jamaica. In 2006, the government of Jamaica conferred on Allen the honour of

Commander of the Order of Distinction for outstanding service to his

country.

Allen's teaching career began in 1972 and includes a stint as adjunct

professor at church-run Northern Caribbean University (NCU), then West

Indies College, from 1991 to 1993.

Reacting to news of Allen's appointment today, NCU President Herbert

Thompson told the Jamaican Gleaner he expects Allen will bring a "new moral

vision" to Jamaica.

Calling the appointment "historic," president of the church for

Inter-America, Israel Leito, said the queen's choice of Allen reflected the

Adventist Church's respected presence in Jamaica. Nearly one in every 12

people in the country is Adventist, and the church is noted for its

involvement in the community and collaboration with government efforts to

quell crime.

Last August church leaders organized a national Day of Prayer in response to

climbing murder rates and widespread poverty in the country, an effort

involving more than 650 Adventist churches. Earlier in the year, Jamaican

health officials marshalled Adventist pastors to train as counsellors in a

nationwide effort to address social problems.

During a 2007 meeting between Paulsen and national leaders, Governor General

Hall said Adventists were ideally positioned to offer guidance and moral

leadership to the country's young people. Hall also congratulated the

church's visibility within the community. The church has become so

ubiquitous, he said, that "if you are giving directions in Jamaica, often

you say, 'Turn after the sign for the Adventist church.'"

Allen is the second Seventh-day Adventist to serve as governor general in

the Caribbean region. From 1993 to 2007, James Carlisle served as governor

general of Antigua. Three other Adventists currently serve in Jamaica's

House of Representatives.

Allen is expected to resign his position as West Indies Union President

shortly, and a special executive session will be held next month to name a

successor, Leito said.

"We wish Dr. Allen all the best, realizing the serious challenges he will

have," Leito added. "The church will always be praying for him in this

position." (Editors: Elizabeth Lechleitner and Christian B. Schaeffler for

ANN/APD)