New Rector for St Pauls, St John’s to be inducted in Anglican Church

The Institution and Induction of the Reverend Canon Ashton Matthew Francis as Rector of the St Paul’s Parish Church, Calliaqua with St John’s, Belair, St Vincent and the Grenadines, takes place on Tuesday, May 2, 2017, at the St Paul’s Parish Church, Calliaqua, the date of the Feast of St Athanasius, Bishop of Alexandria, Teacher of the Faith, 373.

The service will be performed by Bishop of the Windward Islands, His Lordship the Right Reverend C Leopold Friday and will commence at 5 p.m.

Canon Francis was born on September 22, 1968 and is married to Jannie Manley Francis née Flavien and their marriage produced two children. He holds an Upper Second Class Honours BA in Theology from the University of the West Indies, Codrington Theological College Barbados. The new Rector was ordained to the Diaconate on December 7, 1998 and was ordained to the Holy Order of the Priesthood on November 30, 1999.

Throughout his ministry he has served as Rector of the St Philip’s Parish Church with St Matthias, Evesham and St Joseph, Richland Park in St Vincent and the Grenadines (2006 – 2016); Priest in Charge of Grace Church, Riviere Doree, Choiseul, St Lucia, with St Paul, Vieux Fort, (2002-2006); Assistant Curate at the St George’s Parish Church, Church Street, St George’s with St Albans, Mt Moritz, St Peter, Beaulieu, St Vincent, Mome Jaloux and St Luke, Grenville Vale, Grenada (1999-2002); and St Patrick’s Parish Church, Sauteurs, with St Mary, Mt Rich and St Francis, River Salee, Grenada. (1998-1999).

Canon Francis has coordinated several lay training programmes in the Archdeaconry of St Vincent and the Grenadines and also the Diocesan Non Stipendiary Deacons training programme. He has been Youth chaplain for several years and represents the Diocese on the Provincial Christian Education Committee.