On the morning of 17th November, Canon Phillip Wright will be consecrated as the new Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Belize. At 38, he will become the youngest bishop in the Province of the West Indies. That might seem like a great burden for this single, former high school teacher to carry but sitting down with us today, the Bishop designate said that it's not his age, but his mission that is the greatest challenge, and that mission includes keeping local leaders accountable.
Jules Vasquez,
You are the youngest bishop. How do you feel taking on this tremendous responsibility at 38 years old?
Canon Phillip Wright, Anglican Bishop Designate
"Sometimes it can actually be overwhelming because you know, you start at 38 and you assume you can go until 68 and beyond, God willing, that's quite a long time to be shepherding people in this capacity. But I will be honest with you too Jules, I don't spend a whole of time thinking about the age but more about the task at hand."
Jules Vasquez,
There is a feeling among a wide section of the population that increasingly things are beyond the test of being retrievable, that hope is not as present as it once was, there is squalor, and there is so many social problems. Is your faith still relevant in this context?
Rev. Phillip Wright,
"I would want to believe so. I am not sure I would be in the business if I thought we were absolutely useless you know. On a sort of practical level, at least part of my assessment of today's reality is that people are really crying out for strong leadership as well. And by strong, I mean leadership that has integrity, that has a moral standard, and I would really believe, young and old alike, are actually prepared to respond to that kind of leadership; leadership that will trust them, that will believe them, that will be honest with them. I think for the church to provide that kind of leadership, it will give a certain response from the community and they will be placed in a position where it can actually make a difference in people's lives."
Jules Vasquez,
Do you see yourself being socially active? We know that shortly after your leadership of the Anglican faith in Belize was announced, you appeared at the Association of Concerned Belizean demonstration, you spoke at the opening and you also marched.
Rev. Phillip Wright,
"If we claim to be a country, for instance, that still believes in God, that still holds to Christian values, then I think the role of the church is to remind leaders across the board of what that means. We will love our leaders but that love must also be a love that challenges and I am prepared to be a part of that prophetic voice, that prophetic role, that will change the greatest good in all of us."
Jules Vasquez,
Do you see your role as a leader of the church, of one that has to take an increased profile in being socially active and agitating for change?
Rev. Phillip Wright,
"I believe so and especially where change is deemed as necessary. I know that whenever you take a stand, people are going to seek to label you one way or another. But I think if you are consistent, and if people can see that really your concern is about people and the quality of life they can live, then one need to not make any apologies for standing up and saying this is what is better for our people. I am sure the ruling administration will always appear to be under attack when that is done but it is also hoped that people won't see it as a partisan thing, that you are against this or that one, but really that you are standing up for people, for my people; our people.
You mentioned the Prime Minister, the Leader of the Opposition I believe is also Anglican, and I'll be honest with you Jules, I see myself, especially as I assume this new role, as a pastor to both, and I care about both. I care about their well-being, I care about their physical well-being, their spiritual well-being. I have to act as a pastor and the political royalties don't factor in there at all. But at the same time, just as how I would want them to hold me accountable for the leadership I occupy, I feel I should also hold them accountable for the leadership role that they presently play."
Jules Vasquez,
Is the church prepared to endorse the use of condoms as a preventative measure against the spread of HIV?
Rev. Phillip Wright,
"There is no doubt the church continues to put forward the A and B, the abstinence and the be faithful. But increasingly we are seeing where there are aspects of that fight against HIV and Aids where the use of condoms appear to be making a difference and so the church has to look seriously at that. But even if goes down that road, it has to tie it in I think with the element of discipline and behavioral change which I think ultimately is the winning strategy."
Notably, Wright is a cousin of the Catholic Bishop Dorick Wright. As we said he will be consecrated on the 17th November at the St. John's Cathedral. That event will coincide with a regional bishops conference.
7NEWS produced for broadcast by News Director Jules Vasquez
Edited and Prepared for the internet by Keith Swift
