Bishop Claude Berkley

Claude Berkley began his career as a primary school teacher in 1977 at his alma mater, the Pembroke Anglican School in Windward, Tobago. He entered the Valsayn Teachers College in 1979 and graduated in 1981. He taught at various schools in Tobago and in 1989 entered Codrington College to pursue studies in theology.  He earned a diploma in Pastoral Studies from Codrington College and in the same year a Bachelor’s Degree in Theology from UWI.  In 1991 he was awarded the Colin and Pearl Kirton Prize for doctrine (UWI) and in 1992 the St Catherine and St Mark’s Prize for preaching (Codrington College).

After completing training at Codrington College in 1992, Father Berkley was ordained a deacon.  Approximately one year later, on October 28, 1993 he was ordained a priest.  He continued his career as a teacher while serving as priest in charge at St Mary’s and St Patrick’s parishes in Tobago. He taught also at his secondary school alma mater, Bishop’s High School, Tobago. In 1999, he pursued a Master of Philosophy degree in Contextual Theology at the University of Birmingham, UK. He was made a Canon in 2001 – stall of St Chad – and eventually, in 2002 he was transferred to All Saints Parish in Trinidad where he joined the staff of Bishop Anstey High School in Port of Spain.

In 2008 then Canon Berkley was appointed Chairperson of a Diocesan Team to design and manage a project that would examine and analyze the strengths and weaknesses of the Anglican Church in the Diocese of Trinidad and Tobago – its current membership and growth trends, its leadership and management structure and other relevant topics of concern – with a view to recommending strategies that would assist the Church in serving more effectively in the communities in which it is located.  The experience gained by Bishop Claude in managing this project provided him with considerable information about the Diocese and with a sound base for guiding the future direction of the Diocese.  He has resolved to “… transform the Anglican Church in the Diocese of Trinidad and Tobago into a New Wine Vineyard… where the entire community of stewards, labourers, tenants and others know and love God in unity with each other; resulting in a high-quality abundant yield of New Wine.”

Bishop Berkley has been a delegate to the Provincial Synod and a member of the Provincial Standing Committee since 1998.   In October 2010 he was elected as Coadjutor Bishop in the Diocese of Trinidad and Tobago and he was consecrated on March 17, 2011 at a ceremony at the Cathedral Church of the Holy Trinity in Port of Spain.

Bishop Claude’s special interests are in history, cultural studies and mission studies.  He is married to Dawn and they have two daughters Fayola and Safiya.

Preceded by: Bishop Calvin Bess

Succeeded by: Presently serving in Office