The Diocese of the Virgin Islands consecrated its fifth bishop, the Rt. Rev. E. Ambrose Gumbs, June 11 at a ceremony at the University of the Virgin Islands in Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas.

The Rt. Rev. Arthur B. Williams Jr., retired Bishop Suffragan of Ohio and director of the Office of Ethnic Congregational Development at the Episcopal Church Center, served as chief consecrator.

Bishop Williams was joined by the Rt. Rev. Orris Walker, Bishop of Long Island; the Rt. Rev. Telésforo A. Isaac, retired Bishop of the Dominican Republic; the Rt. Rev. C. Clayton Matthews, of the Office of Pastoral Development; the Rt. Rev. W. Michie Klusmeyer, Bishop of West Virginia; the Rt. Rev. Rodney R. Michel, Bishop Suffragan of Long Island; and Lutheran Bishop Margarita Martínez, in consecrating Bishop Gumbs before a congregation of about 2,000.

Raised on the island of Anguilla, Bishop Gumbs emigrated to the Virgin Islands at age 19. After service in the U.S. Navy, Bishop Gumbs attended the College of the Virgin Islands and Virginia Theological Seminary. He was ordained deacon in 1987 and priest in 1988. From 1987 until his election this year, Bishop Gumbs served as curate, priest-in-charge, then rector of St. Andrew’s Church in St. Thomas.

In an interview given after his election, Bishop Gumbs said his top priorities for the diocese were to make it economically self-sufficient, to foster unity among the clergy, and develop the gifts of the laity to build up the Church. Almost half of the diocese’s income for support of its 12 congregations spread over five islands in the U.S. and British Virgin Islands comes from grants from the national Church, he noted.

"I want to return to the days of glory in the Church," Bishop Gumbs said. "I love the Lord. I love the Church. And I want the utmost best for it."

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