The Rt. Rev. John Cyril Emerson Swaby’s election as Anglican Bishop of Jamaica marked a significant milestone in his lifelong journey of service and faith. Born in St. Andrew to an Anglican clergyman, Bishop Swaby's rise through the ranks reflects decades of unwavering commitment to the Church and his community. From his early days as a rector in rural parishes to his leadership as Bishop Suffragan of Kingston, his dedication to the spiritual and social growth of Jamaica has been evident. 

Published Wednesday, December 6, 1967

Swaby elected Anglican Bishop of Jamaica

 THE Rt. Rev. John Cyril Emerson Swaby, Bishop Suffragan of Kingston since 1960, was elected Anglican Bishop of Jamaica by the Elective Assembly of a Special Synod at Ramson Hall yesterday.
Bishop Swaby’s name must now be formally submitted to the Archbishop of the West Indies, who, in consultation with other Bishops of the Province, must confirm the election before it can become canonically official.
For this reason, no official announcement of the election was made by Synod officials yesterday, nor were any details of the day’s proceedings released. As in previous sessions of the Assembly, yesterday’s 3 1⁄4-hour deliberations were conducted behind closed doors, out of earshot of Press and public.
Although the Rev. Canon J. T. Clarke, Rector of St. Andrew Parish Church, withdrew from the contest after six ballots at the two previous sessions on November 21 and 22, Bishop Swaby was not elected unopposed.
Committee
Bishop Swaby’s was the first nomination of the day, moved as in previous sessions by the Ven. J. J. Hay, Archdeacon of South Middlesex, and seconded by Mr. H.B. Monteith.
The Rev. L. B. Harrison, Rector of St. James Parish Church, then nominated a Selection Committee to which the Synod would delegate the right to select the Bishop.
Under the Canon governing the election of a Bishop, the Selection Committee could be voted for “as if it were the name of an actual nominee.”
It was these two nominations that finally went to the vote: Bishop Swaby and the Selection Committee.
Balloting started shortly after noon following a 20-minute coffee break.
Loud Applause
At 1:35 p.m., the result was announced. For Bishop Swaby: clerical votes 60, lay votes 100; for the Selection Committee: clerical votes 26, lay votes 12. Thus, Bishop Swaby secured more than the required two-thirds votes from each of the two Houses, Clergy and Laity.
Loud and sustained applause — the loudest since the Elective Assembly first met on November 21 — indicated that a decisive result had been reached.
The Rev. Mr. L. Harrison was the first to take the news to Bishop Swaby, who had been at prayer in the vestry of St. George’s Church since 11:10 a.m. The Rev. Mr. Harrison was followed by Sir Colin MacGregor, Chancellor of the Diocese, the Ven. Archdeacon Hay, and the Ven. E. L. Maxwell, Archdeacon of Surrey, who escorted the Bishop-elect to Ramson Hall, where the assembled Synod gave him a standing ovation.
Still behind closed doors, congratulatory speeches were made, Bishop Swaby replied then gave the benediction, and the Special Synod ended with the Doxology.
Bishop Swaby, who will be 62 on Monday of next week, was born in St. Andrew, son of the late Rev. Joseph Nathaniel Swaby, Anglican clergyman who served in several parishes of Jamaica. He was educated at Munro College, St. Peter’s Theological College, and Durham University (M. A.). He was ordained deacon and priest in 1929; served as curate at Brown’s Town, St. Ann, 1929-32; and was rector of Highgate, St. Mary, from 1932 to 1938.
In 1938, he was appointed rector of St. Matthew’s Church, Allman Town, remaining there until 1957, when he was appointed Archdeacon of North Middlesex and rector of Mandeville. He was elected Bishop Suffragan of Kingston on September 6, 1960, and was consecrated on January 25, 1961.
As soon as confirmation of Bishop Swaby’s election is received from the Archbishop of the West Indies, a date will be fixed for his enthronement.

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