The Anglican Diocese of Guyana yesterday expressed a “deep sense of sadness” on learning of  the death of the Rt. Rev’d Philip Elder, who  was described as a distinguished son of the soil and an effective and exemplary spiritual leader.

Bishop Elder was the first son of Guyana to share in the Episcopate and his  consecration as the first  indigenous Bishop of Guyana took place in the St. George’s  Cathedral on Sunday, February 20, 1966.   He  was made the Bishop of Stabroek, Suffragan Bishop to then Archbishop of the West Indies, Dr Allan John Knight,  said a press release from Diocesan  Editor Claude Blackmore.

Bishop Elder served Guyana well as Bishop of Stabroek until 1976 when he resigned  to migrate to the United States.

According to Bishop Knight the need for an assistant in Guyana  was necessary “to give better service to the Diocese of Guyana and in particular to make possible the regular and more frequent visitation to every Church and Mission.”

Meanwhile, the Bishop of Guyana, the Rt. Rev’d Cornell Moss has issued a notification of Bishop Elder’s death to all Anglican churches across Guyana  with the request for special prayers for his daughter and other  members of his family and the repose of his soul.