The Bishop of Barbados, the Right Reverend Michael Maxwell, has paid tribute to the late Rev. Canon Errington Massiah, describing him as a faithful servant whose ministry left a lasting impact on both the Church and wider society.
In a statement following his passing, the Bishop reflected on Canon Massiah’s decades of ordained service, his parish leadership, and his contribution to national life through education, public service and media commentary.
Below is the full statement:
It is with deep sadness that we today note the passing of The Rev’d Canon Errington Massiah, one of our retired Anglican clerics who served the Church faithfully and devotedly for over thirty-five years in active ministry, and as an ordained minister for just over 45 years.
Canon Massiah was ordained to the diaconate in August 1980 and to the priesthood in July 1981. He began his ordained ministry serving his curacy in the Churches of St Leonard, St John the Baptist, and St Cyprian. In January 1984, he was appointed Priest-in-Charge of All Souls, and by August of that same year, he became the Priest-in-Charge, and later Rector, of the St Joseph Parish Church with St Aidan where he served until his retirement in August 2016.
In recognition of his faithful and dedicated service, he was conferred, two years before his retirement, the title of Honorary Canon by Archbishop John Holder — a fitting tribute to a life poured out in ministry to both Church and society. Beyond the parish, Canon Massiah was widely respected for his contributions as a columnist to the Weekend Nation in his column “Outside the Pulpit” which provided social views and Church news; and he also served this nation as a Chaplain to the Senate and as a Supervisor of CSEC Examinations within one of our School Centres.
We give thanks to Almighty God for Canon Massiah’s life of 79 years – his work, his witness and his ministry among us; and on behalf of the Diocese, I extend heartfelt condolences to his beloved wife Sister Denise; to their daughters, Kean and Andrea; and to all other family members and loved ones. I also extend sympathy to the congregations where he served faithfully, especially the people of the Cure of St Joseph with St Aidan, among whom he served for many years.
May our departed brother rest in peace, and rise in glory. Amen.
