wfn.org | [APD] Jamaica's sixth Governor General: An Adventist Church leader

[Christian B. Schäffler <APD@stanet.ch>]

[APD] 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)

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