Rev. Donald James Reece.

The Most Rev. Donald James Reece was officially presented as Coadjutor Archbishop of Kingston during a ceremony at the Holy Trinity Cathedral, downtown Kingston, last Wednesday.

The Apostolic Letter from Pope Benedict XVI appointing Reece to the position of Archbishop, was read by the Most Rev. Thomas E. Gullickson, the Pontiff's representative in the Caribbean region. Archbishop Gullickson noted that Jamaica now has four native sons who have been elevated to the position of Archbishop of Kingston, a first for the region!

In presiding over the presentation ceremony, Archbishop Lawrence Burke explained that due to his battle with cancer, he had asked the Holy Father to appoint a coadjutor archbishop who could assist him with the work of the Archdiocese of Kingston until he retires sometime in the near future.

At that time, Archbishop Reece would automatically become the Archbishop of Kingston. Archbishop Burke acknowledged that he was experiencing mixed emotions in that he felt a sense of loss, but at the same time he was full of confidence that Archbishop Reece would do an excellent job as Archbishop of Kingston. He welcomed Archbishop Reece with open arms.

Archbishop Reece recalled his appointment twenty-six years ago as Bishop of St. John's Basseterre, Antigua. He said he felt the hand of providence in his return to Jamaica at this time.