Reece

The Rev. Donald James Reece, has been appointed by Pope Benedict XVI to serve as coadjutor to the Most Rev. Lawrence Aloysius Burke, as Roman Catholic Archbishop of Kingston.

Bishop Reece will later fill the post following the resignation of Archbishop Burke at a later date.

Archbishop Burke has been experiencing failing health in recent times.

Rev. Reece's bishopric covers Antigua and St. Kitts. Bishop Reece is a Jamaican who spent his formative years in ministry on the island before moving to other Caribbean territories.

According to the Archdiocese of Kingston, Archbishop-designate Reece "brings a wealth of experience locally, in the Caribbean and worldwide".

While in Jamaica, he was the pastor of Aquinas parish, Chaplain to the University of the West Indies, Rector of St. Michael's Seminary and Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Kingston from 1974 to 1981.

"He has made outstanding contributions to the Antilles Episcopal Conference as chairman of the commission of youth and vocation and chairman of the commissions of liturgy and ecumenism, and has also served as chairman of the regional seminary board".

Archbishop Burke was ordained a priest in 1964 and has served as Archbishop of Kingston for over three years. He has made valuable contributions to the Roman Catholic Church and is well known for his service in the field of education.

He served as chairman of the board of both St. George's College and Campion College and as a member of the Archdiocesan Education Board and the Jamaica Catholic Board of Education. Archbishop Burke was also a member of the Adoption Board of Jamaica.

Bishop Gabriel Malzaire, of Rouseau, Dominica, has been appointed Apostolic Administrator for the Diocese of St. John's-Basseterre until the Holy See (Vatican) can provide a Bishop for that Diocese.