Our Bishops

The Diocese of Trinidad & Tobago now has along with its current bishop, His Lordship Calvin W. Bess, two assistant bishops, Clive Abdulah and Rawle Douglin, both still very active within various parishes.

Bishop Calvin W. Bess

The Very Reverend Calvin W. Bess was made a Deacon in the Anglican Church on December 21, 1965, and was ordained Priest at the Cathedral Church of the Holy Trinity in 1966.
Father Bess served as the Assistant Curate of St. Andrew's Parish in Scarborough, Tobago from 1966-1968, after which he went on to the Cathedral Church of the Holy Trinity in the same capacity until 1969.

After his stint at the Cathedral, he returned to Tobago as the Priest in Charge of St. Patrick's Church in Mt. Pleasant. In 1972, Father Bess made his way back to Trinidad to become the Assistant to the Rector at St. Paul's Church in San Fernando until 1977. He then moved over to the Holy Cross Church in Marabella where he remained as the Priest in Charge for 23 years. During his tenure at Holy Cross, he was appointed to the Cathedral Chapter in the Stall of St. Patrick (1995).

It is often said that God has two dwellings, one in heaven and the other in a meek and thankful heart. We see this so evident in Bishop Bess. Thankful for the opportunity to serve both God and the Church in all humility, Canon Bess was exalted to the Bishopric when he was elected Coadjutor Bishop of Trinidad and Tobago on October 31, 2000; succeeding Bishop Rawle Douglin. He was Enthroned on April 21, 2001 and Consecrated on December 21, 2002.

Bishop Bess continues to live and serve God and others, in an attempt to leave the world and the Church a little better than he found them. We as the Body of Christ are grateful to have him as the 'Gardener' who helps make our souls blossom.

Bishop Rawle E. Douglin

The Right Reverend Rawle Ernest Douglin, descendant of descendant of Reverend P.H. Douglin (deceased), was ordained to the priesthood on March 13th 1960. He served at the parishes of St. Stephen’s, Princes Town (1963), The Good Shepherd, Tunapuna (1967) and All Saints’ Church, Newtown (1971). Father Douglin was made Canon in 1969, and became Dean and Rector of the Cathedral Church of the Holy Trinity in 1973, succeeding Dean A.T.P. Harrison. He also served as teacher to the Richmond Street Boys’ Anglican School (Christus Rex).

Dean Douglin succeeded to Bishopric of Trinidad and Tobago following the retirement of Bishop Clive Abdulah and his election as Coadjutor Bishop. He was consecrated as Bishop on September 29, 1992 and was later enthroned as Diocesan Bishop one year to that date.

Bishop Douglin enjoyed a brilliant episcopacy, and his ability and influence has been felt and recognized throughout the diocese. He now serves as Priest in various parishes in the Diego Martin and Carenage area, and at the Missions to Seamen, Wrightson Road, Port of Spain.

Bishop Clive O. Abdulah

Bishop Clive Orminston Abdulah B.A., S.T.M., F.C.P., D.MIN., D.D, was the first Native to be unanimously elected and Consecrated as Bishop of Trinidad & Tobago. This was at a most difficult time in our nation – the aftermath of the Black Power disturbances and a State of Emergency. His consecration on September 29, 1970 was very welcome, and one may still be able to recall that propitious day.

A graduate of Queen’s Royal College, Port of Spain, Abdulah then went on to the University of Pennsylvania, where he became the first Black President of the Canterbury Club, and graduated with a B.A in 1950. His thirst for knowledge did not end there, for he later went on to Trinity College, Toronto to obtain his Bachelor’s Degree in Theology. It is said that “The foundation of every state is the education of its youth,” and Bishop Abdulah clearly illustrates this. He continued on, graduating with a Master's Degree in Theology in 1965, and the degree of Doctor in Ministry in 1993 from the Seabury-Western Theological Seminary, USA.

Bishop Abdulah’s career spans all of forty-nine years and counting, beginning with his ordination as deacon in Trinity College, Toronto for the Diocese of Jamaica, May 17, 1953. One year later, June 27, 1954, he was ordained Priest in the Parish Church of Kingston, Jamaica. While still in Jamaica, he served as Rector of Highgate, Rural Dean of St. Mary (1957-66), and Stony Hill (1966-70).

In 1984, Bishop Abdulah was made a Fellow of the College of Preceptors [F.C.P. (Honoris Causa)], London, England. He had the degree of Doctor of Divinity (Honoris Causa) conferred upon him at the Trinity College, Toronto in 1971. He is the only Bishop who from 1971 to 1975, has served as a member of the University Council, U.W.I., and as Chairman to the Government appointed Commission of Enquiry on Prison Reform from 1975 to 1980. Bishop Abdulah, not new to “first” experiences, is the first West Indian Bishop to serve on the Board of Directors of the Anglican Centre in Rome, 1992-95. Given his long and illustrious career, Bishop Abdulah retired as Bishop of Trinidad & Tobago in 1991, and now serves as interim Rector of All Saints’ Church, Newtown.

LINKS: anglicancommunion.org || ecusa.anglican.org || anglicansonline.org||




	The Diocese of Trinidad & Tobago now has along with its current bishop, His Lordship Calvin W. Bess, two assistant bishops, Clive Abdulah and Rawle Douglin, both still very active within various parishes. Bishop Calvin W. Bess The Very Reverend Calvin W. Bess was made a Deacon in the Anglican Church on December 21, 1965, and was ordained Priest at the Cathedral Church of the Holy Trinity in 1966. Father Bess served as the Assistant Curate of St. Andrew's Parish in Scarborough, Tobago from 1966-1968, after which he went on to the Cathedral Church of the Holy Trinity in the same capacity until 1969. After his stint at the Cathedral, he returned to Tobago as the Priest in Charge of St. Patrick's Church in Mt. Pleasant. In 1972, Father Bess made his way back to Trinidad to become the Assistant to the Rector at St. Paul's Church in San Fernando until 1977. He then moved over to the Holy Cross Church in Marabella where he remained as the Priest in Charge for 23 years. During his tenure at Holy Cross, he was appointed to the Cathedral Chapter in the Stall of St. Patrick (1995). It is often said that God has two dwellings, one in heaven and the other in a meek and thankful heart. We see this so evident in Bishop Bess. Thankful for the opportunity to serve both God and the Church in all humility, Canon Bess was exalted to the Bishopric when he was elected Coadjutor Bishop of Trinidad and Tobago on October 31, 2000; succeeding Bishop Rawle Douglin. He was Enthroned on April 21, 2001 and Consecrated on December 21, 2002. Bishop Bess continues to live and serve God and others, in an attempt to leave the world and the Church a little better than he found them. We as the Body of Christ are grateful to have him as the 'Gardener' who helps make our souls blossom. Bishop Rawle E. Douglin The Right Reverend Rawle Ernest Douglin, descendant of descendant of Reverend P.H. Douglin (deceased), was ordained to the priesthood on March 13th 1960. He served at the parishes of St. Stephen’s, Princes Town (1963), The Good Shepherd, Tunapuna (1967) and All Saints’ Church, Newtown (1971). Father Douglin was made Canon in 1969, and became Dean and Rector of the Cathedral Church of the Holy Trinity in 1973, succeeding Dean A.T.P. Harrison. He also served as teacher to the Richmond Street Boys’ Anglican School (Christus Rex). Dean Douglin succeeded to Bishopric of Trinidad and Tobago following the retirement of Bishop Clive Abdulah and his election as Coadjutor Bishop. He was consecrated as Bishop on September 29, 1992 and was later enthroned as Diocesan Bishop one year to that date. Bishop Douglin enjoyed a brilliant episcopacy, and his ability and influence has been felt and recognized throughout the diocese. He now serves as Priest in various parishes in the Diego Martin and Carenage area, and at the Missions to Seamen, Wrightson Road, Port of Spain. Bishop Clive O. Abdulah Bishop Clive Orminston Abdulah B.A., S.T.M., F.C.P., D.MIN., D.D, was the first Native to be unanimously elected and Consecrated as Bishop of Trinidad & Tobago. This was at a most difficult time in our nation – the aftermath of the Black Power disturbances and a State of Emergency. His consecration on September 29, 1970 was very welcome, and one may still be able to recall that propitious day. A graduate of Queen’s Royal College, Port of Spain, Abdulah then went on to the University of Pennsylvania, where he became the first Black President of the Canterbury Club, and graduated with a B.A in 1950. His thirst for knowledge did not end there, for he later went on to Trinity College, Toronto to obtain his Bachelor’s Degree in Theology. It is said that “The foundation of every state is the education of its youth,” and Bishop Abdulah clearly illustrates this. He continued on, graduating with a Master's Degree in Theology in 1965, and the degree of Doctor in Ministry in 1993 from the Seabury-Western Theological Seminary, USA. Bishop Abdulah’s career spans all of forty-nine years and counting, beginning with his ordination as deacon in Trinity College, Toronto for the Diocese of Jamaica, May 17, 1953. One year later, June 27, 1954, he was ordained Priest in the Parish Church of Kingston, Jamaica. While still in Jamaica, he served as Rector of Highgate, Rural Dean of St. Mary (1957-66), and Stony Hill (1966-70). In 1984, Bishop Abdulah was made a Fellow of the College of Preceptors [F.C.P. (Honoris Causa)], London, England. He had the degree of Doctor of Divinity (Honoris Causa) conferred upon him at the Trinity College, Toronto in 1971. He is the only Bishop who from 1971 to 1975, has served as a member of the University Council, U.W.I., and as Chairman to the Government appointed Commission of Enquiry on Prison Reform from 1975 to 1980. Bishop Abdulah, not new to “first” experiences, is the first West Indian Bishop to serve on the Board of Directors of the Anglican Centre in Rome, 1992-95. Given his long and illustrious career, Bishop Abdulah retired as Bishop of Trinidad & Tobago in 1991, and now serves as interim Rector of All Saints’ Church, Newtown.
	LINKS: anglicancommunion.org \|\| ecusa.anglican.org \|\| anglicansonline.org\|\|

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