The Most Rev. Howard Gregory, Archbishop of the West Indies and Bishop of Jamaica & The Cayman Islands, has announced the appointment of a new Board of Management for the Clifton Boys’ Home in Darliston, Westmoreland. The new Board will be chaired by Mr. Vincent Guthrie, a retired educator.
In a statement announcing the appointments, the Archbishop noted that over the six decades since the Diocese established the Home, it has sought to provide an environment of security, emotional stability, spiritual development, and growth. At the same time, he said the management had worked consistently to meet other basic needs of the boys who are deemed, by the courts of the land, to be in “need of care and protection.” He expressed regret at the negative publicity which the Home has received in recent months following allegations which are currently the subject of further investigation.
“Our Diocese takes seriously the nature of the allegations and deplores anything that may suggest contravention of the Home’s stated mission of care,” the Archbishop noted.
He expressed gratitude for the support received from stakeholders in the community in the operation of the Home, especially during its reconstruction following the devastating fire which destroyed the original facility on January 15, 2017.
“We have been anticipating a new chapter with the rebuilding of this new facility which has been extended to accommodate 40 boys, up from 30. We commit to ensuring the effective operation of the Home so that it will maintain the highest standard of care for its charges and so fulfill the intention of its founders,” Archbishop Gregory stated.
He also affirmed that the Diocese would continue to work in collaboration with the Child Protection and Family Services Agency (CPFSA) to ensure compliance with the Agency’s policies governing the operation of Children’s Homes.
Contact: Beverley Newell, Communication Officer, Diocese of Jamaica & The Cayman Islands
2 Caledonia Avenue, Kingston 5; Tel: 876-926-8925; Cell: 876-320-2485; E-mail: bevelaine@gmail.com
Date: October 12, 2021