Diocese of Haiti elects Delicat bishop coadjutor

The Very Reverent Joseph Kirwin Delicat, Dean of Holy Trinity Cathedral, Port-au-Prince, has been elected bishop coadjutor of the Diocese of Haiti.
 
On the second day of voting, June 2, 2018, Dean Delicat was elected by a majority of both lay and clergy delegates on the second ballot of the day. This followed five inconclusive ballots on Thursday, May 17th. The report of the first day can be found HERE.

An official announcement was made today. Episcopal News Service posted it this afternoon HERE.

"The Ven. Joseph Kerwin Delicat, dean of Holly Trinity Cathedral in Port au Prince Haiti is elected bishop coadjutor of the Diocese of Haiti during the electoral convention of June 2, 2018, convention held at the nursing school of the University Episcopal of Haiti in Leogane, Haiti.

Pending the consent process, Ven. Joseph Kerwin Delicat will succeed the current bishop, the Rt. Rev. Jean Zaché Duracin who is retiring after serving the diocese as its bishop since 1994.

The ordination and consécration is set for Saturday, January 5, 2019."

It was signed "For Ecclesia, Rev. Dr. Kesner Ajax, Chair."

The Ven. Fritz Bazin, of the Diocese of Southeast Florida, wrote,

"The people have spoken" There is, he says," no question as to the validity of the procedures...The votes are there, stating the choice of the majority of delegates. Their participation in this exercise is an example to the nation that in spite of the protest of those who felt that the elections should note take place,which is their right,the majority has decided."

He reported the final vote as follows:
 
"Clergy vote:
87 clergy
Bernier/11
Delicat/51

Lay vote111
Bernier/14
Delicat/59"

Bazin writes, "The time should now be for reconciliation and planning the future...As soon as possible retreats and conversation towards reconciliation should start. It is our hope that the newly elected coadjutor will be ratified. Then the church of Haiti will move on a new path guided by The Holy Spirit.

Prayers,lots of prayers! Better days are coming!"

A number of votes were voided, but the final majority in both orders were for Delicat.

The Episcopal Church of Haiti continues to grow in strength and its ministries are increasingly vital to the future of the country.