Donald James Reece

Donald James Reece (born 13 April 1934) is a Jamaican prelate of the Catholic Church who served as Archbishop of Kingston in Jamaica from 2008 until his retirement in 2011.

Biography

Donald James Reece began religious life as a Franciscan Friar in the Society of the Atonement in the 1950s before beginning studies at the Catholic University of America in preparation for the priesthood. He received on 3 January 1971 his priestly ordination and Pope John Paul II appointed him on 17 July 1981 bishop to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saint John's–Basseterre. His consecration was given by Samuel Emmanuel Carter, SJ, Archbishop of Kingston, Kelvin Edward Felix, Archbishop of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Castries and Joseph Oliver Bowers, SVD, former bishop of the Diocese of Saint John's-Basseterre on 8 October of the same year.

On 12 October 2007 he was appointed by Pope Benedict XVI Coadjutor Archbishop of Kingston in Jamaica. After the retirement of Lawrence Aloysius Burke, SJ, he followed him on 12 April 2008 by the Office of the Archbishop of Kingston in Jamaica.

On 15 April 2011 Benedict XVI accepted his resignation as Archbishop of Kingston.

In 2012, he was honored for his contributions to education and religion with the Order of Jamaica, the fourth highest medal of Jamaica.