Patrick Allen (governor-general)
Sir Patrick Allen | |
|---|---|
 Allen in 2011 | |
| 6th Governor-General of Jamaica | |
| Assumed office 26 February 2009 | |
| Monarchs | Elizabeth II Charles III |
| Prime Minister | Bruce Golding Andrew Holness Portia Simpson-Miller Andrew Holness |
| Preceded by | Kenneth O. Hall |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Patrick Linton Allen 7 February 1951 Fruitful Vale, Colony of Jamaica[1] |
| Spouse | Patricia Beckford |
| Children | 3 |
| Alma mater | Andrews University |
Sir Patrick Linton Allen
The fourth of five children in a family of
Allen became Jamaica's sixth appointed governor-general (eighth overall, including two acting governors-general). He replaced Kenneth O. Hall, who resigned for health reasons. Allen's appointment was controversial due to his strong ties to the Seventh-day Adventist Church, and because of concerns that he would be unable to attend functions on Saturdays due to his faith's strict observation of the Sabbath. Allen resigned from his leadership of the West Indies Union prior to becoming Governor-General, however.
Early life
Patrick Linton Allen was born in Kingston, Jamaica, on 7 February 1951. He was the fourth of five children to Ferdinand Allen, a farmer, and Christiana Allen (née Grant), a housewife.[2][3] His parents were subsistence farmers in a region that had been devastated by Hurricane Charlie around the time of his birth.[4] Allen attended the Fruitful Vale All-Age School as a child. Beginning at grade one, Allen was a year ahead in school.[4]
Allen had initially intended to study to become a minister, but after his father became too ill to work, he instead went into teaching.
Adventist leader
Allen first requested to be baptised when he was nine, but his family was initially resistant to the idea. On 15 September 1962, at age eleven, Allen was baptised by the Seventh-day Adventist Church.[4] While still a teacher, Allen was trained and ordained as an Elder, and was encouraged to become a pastor.[4] After over a decade in education, Allen left his teaching career and travelled to Andrews University in the United States where he received a Bachelor of Arts in History and Religion in 1985 and a Master of Arts in Systematic Theology a year later.[4][1][5]
Allen returned to Jamaica to serve as a pastor, and was given increasing leadership responsibilities within the broader Seventh-day Adventist Church. Allen was appointed as the Director of Education and Communications within the Central Jamaica Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, one of five regional conferences within Jamaica. He later served as the Director of Education and Family Life for the West Indies Union of Seventh-day Adventists, which at the time had jurisdiction over Jamaica, The Bahamas, the Cayman Islands, and the Turks and Caicos Islands.[5][A] In 1993, he returned to Andrews University, where he worked in the registrar's office while pursuing a doctorate in Educational Administration and Supervision. After receiving his doctorate in 1998, Allen returned to Jamaica, where he became the President of the Central Jamaica Conference, and in 2000, the President of the West Indies Union of Seventh-day Adventists.[4][1][5] In 2005, he was elected to a second five-year term.[6] In his acceptance speech, Allen opined that church outreach should address the problems facing the community, including the HIV/AIDS epidemic, domestic abuse, teenage pregnancy, unemployment, and violent crime.[6] During this time, Allen also served as the chairman of the boards of Northern Caribbean University and Andrews Memorial Hospital.[3]
Governor-General
| Viceregal styles of Sir Patrick Allen (2009–present) | ||
|---|---|---|
Reference style | His Excellency the Most Honourable | |
| Spoken style | Your Excellency | |
In July 2008, the then Governor-General of Jamaica Kenneth O. Hall, indicated that he wished to step down due to declining health. He was persuaded to remain in the post for an additional half-year.[3] On 13 January 2009, the Prime Minister of Jamaica, Bruce Golding (of the Jamaica Labour Party), announced that Allen would succeed Kenneth Hall as Governor-General. The announcement generated controversy, both because Allen had strong ties to the Seventh-day Adventist Church, and because as an Adventist, Allen might be unable to attend events due to his strict observation of the Sabbath.[3][7] On 28 January 2009, Allen resigned from his presidency of the West Indies Union.[8] He also resigned as chairman of the board of Northern Caribbean University,[9] and other religious organisations in 2009.[1]
On 26 February 2009, he became Jamaica's sixth appointed Governor-General, and eighth overall (two people briefly held the position as acting Governor-General).
Honours
In 2006, Allen was appointed a Commander of the Jamaican
Awards
Allen has received an Honorary
All three institutions are associated with the Seventh-day Adventist Church.Notes
- ^A Information about the regional structure of the Seventh-day Adventist Church is from the article "Jamaican Adventists on their own".[14]
External links
References
- ^ a b c d e f g "His Excellency The Most Honourable Sir Patrick Linton Allen, ON, GCMG, CD, Governor-General of Jamaica". Profiles. King's House. 20 January 2018. Archived from the original on 16 August 2015. Retrieved 1 May 2014.
- ^ a b c "G-G-designate a devout Adventist and educator". Jamaica Observer. 14 January 2009. Archived from the original on 4 May 2014. Retrieved 1 May 2014.
- ^ Jamaica Gleaner. Gleaner Company Ltd. Archived from the originalon 15 January 2009. Retrieved 1 May 2014.
- ^ a b c d e f g h "Dr Patrick Allen: Shepherd of the Adventist flock, servant of God, friend of man". Jamaica Observer. 18 January 2009. Archived from the original on 16 February 2017. Retrieved 1 May 2014.
- ^ a b c Penner, David S. (2010). "Sir Patrick L. Allen: Dialogue with the Governor General of Jamaica" (PDF). College and University Dialogue. 22 (2–3). Committee on Adventist Ministry to College and University Students: 18–20. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 May 2014. Retrieved 1 May 2014.
- ^ a b "Dr Patrick Allen gets second five-year term as Adventist head". Jamaica Observer. 15 November 2005. Archived from the original on 16 February 2017. Retrieved 4 May 2014.
- ^ "Allen perfect man for the job – SDA leaders". Jamaica Gleaner. Gleaner Company Ltd. 17 January 2009. Archived from the original on 4 May 2014. Retrieved 4 May 2014.
- ^ a b c "New G G to be sworn in -Dr. Patrick Allen". Jamaica Gleaner. Gleaner Company Ltd. 26 February 2009. Retrieved 4 May 2014.
- ^ "Dr Patrick Allen to receive honorary degree from NCU". Jamaica Gleaner. Gleaner Company Ltd. 15 February 2009. Archived from the original on 10 August 2011. Retrieved 4 May 2014.
- ^ Dunkley, Alicia (26 February 2009). "New G-G today". Jamaica Observer. Archived from the original on 29 October 2013. Retrieved 1 May 2014.
- ^ Desmond, Allen. "GG-designate confesses". Jamaica Observer. Archived from the original on 15 February 2017. Retrieved 1 May 2014.
- ^ "Central Chancery of the Orders of Knighthood". Honours and Awards. The Gazette. Retrieved 1 May 2014.
- ^ "Governor General Patrick Allen invested with second knighthood". Jamaica Gleaner. Gleaner Company Ltd. 2 September 2013. Retrieved 1 May 2014.
- ^ Allen, Desmond (13 June 2010). "Jamaican Adventists on their own". Jamaica Observer. Archived from the original on 22 February 2014. Retrieved 4 May 2014.