Seventy-two is also the retirement age for the Bishop in Jamaica, although in this case, there is a provision for an extension under certain circumstances.

And, having retired as Diocesan Bishop, it is mandatory that Archbishop Gomez also demit office as Archbishop and Metropolitan of the Province of the West Indies.

Meantime, a special Synod - called the Elective Assembly - will be held 24th February, to elect a co-adjutor bishop, who will automatically succeed the Diocesan Bishop when he demits office.

Archbishop Gomez said he made the request for a Co-adjutor Bishop at the 105th session of Synod during October. One of the main reasons being continuity.

He explained that the Diocese of The Bahamas and The Turks and Caicos Islands is engaged in a diocesan-wide project in mission and ministry, and in this exercise, "we are trying to involve as many people in the Diocese in coming up with a new mission statement for the Diocese, and to provide a strategic plan for the Diocese for the next five to 10 years."

According to Archbishop Gomez, "I thought that what we are doing as a Diocese, continuity would be important, so if a person is elected, which I hope a person would be elected and consecrated in 2006, we would have someone who is already involved in the process and would be able to take over automatically when I retire."

He reiterated that continuity in that leadership would be of "extreme importance", if this Diocese is to be effective in its work.

Archbishop said he also asked for a Co-adjutor Bishop because the sooner his successor is determined the better it would be for the Diocese.

He could have asked for another Suffragan Bishop to succeed Bishop Gilbert A. Thompson, who retired in late October.

But, in Archbishop Gomez' considered opinion, this was not the route to follow, as it would have meant that when he demitted office the Diocese would have had to go through the process of electing a Diocesan Bishop.

The Archbishop said he was happy that Synod concurred with his proposal.

END