Barbadian pastor elected as Bishop of Moravian Church

The Moravian Church Eastern West Indies Province has elected Barbadian pastor Reverend Ezra Parris as a Bishop of the Moravian Church.

According to a statement released by Reverend Liselle Roberts, Chairman of the 34th Provincial Synod, “The Moravian Church Eastern West Indies Province, at its 34th Provincial Synod held at The Regent Star Hotel, Piarco, Trinidad after prayerful contemplation, has elected the Reverend Ezra Parris as a Bishop of the Moravian Church (Unitas Fratrum).”

Reverend Parris, who was elected on the seventh ballot on July 14, is the Pastor of the Sharon and Dunscombe Moravian Congregations in Barbados. He was ordained on June 29, 1992, and recently marked his 33rd anniversary of ordination. He was married to the late Reverend Julie Joefield-Parris and is the father of two adult children.

Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley congratulated the new Bishop, saying, “Today, I join members of the Moravian Church and wider Christian faith, in extending heartfelt congratulations to Reverend Ezra Parris on his election as Bishop of the Moravian Church. (LG)

“As a son of Barbadian soil, Reverend Parris has given over three decades of deep and meaningful service to Barbados and the ministry, shepherding the Sharon and Dunscombe Moravian congregations with true wisdom and grace. His election to the highest order of Moravian ministry is a testament to his faith, dedication and the respect he has kindled across the Province.”

“On behalf of the Government and people of Barbados, I wish Bishop Parris every blessing as he steps into this new chapter of spiritual leadership. I know he will continue to be a spiritual and moral compass for Barbados and the region,” the prime minister concluded.

Bishop Parris succeeds Bishop Conrad Spencer who was elected in June 2015 and maintained the position even after the Eastern West Indies Province of the Moravian Church failed to elect a new Bishop in 2019.

The Moravian Church Eastern West Indies Province encompasses eight islands in the Eastern Caribbean: Antigua, Barbados, St Kitts, Tobago, Trinidad, St Thomas, St John, and the US Virgin Islands.