Patrick Allen (governor-general) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
His Excellency The Most Honourable
Sir Patrick Allen
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Allen in 2011
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| 6th Governor-General of Jamaica | |
| Assumed office 26 February 2009 |
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| Monarch | 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 |
| Spouse | Patricia Beckford |
| Children | 3 |
| Alma mater | Andrews University |
Sir Patrick Linton Allen was born on February 7, 1951. He is an important leader in Jamaica. He used to be a pastor in the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Since February 26, 2009, he has served as the sixth and current governor-general of Jamaica.
Sir Patrick was one of five children in a family of farmers. He spent more than ten years working as a teacher and a school principal. Later, he decided to become a pastor. He studied at Andrews University in the United States.
After becoming a pastor, Sir Patrick took on many leadership roles. He became the leader of the West Indies Union of Seventh-day Adventists. This group was in charge of churches in Jamaica, The Bahamas, the Cayman Islands, and the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Sir Patrick became Jamaica's sixth appointed Governor-General. He took over from Kenneth O. Hall, who stepped down due to health reasons. Before becoming Governor-General, Sir Patrick resigned from his church leadership role.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Patrick Linton Allen was born in Kingston, Jamaica, on February 7, 1951. He was the fourth of five children. His parents, Ferdinand and Christiana Allen, were farmers. They grew food to support their family.
Patrick attended the Fruitful Vale All-Age School. He was a very bright student and was often a year ahead in school.
He first wanted to become a minister. However, his father became ill, so Patrick decided to become a teacher instead. At 17, he started teaching at Fruitful Vale All-Age.
After his father passed away, Patrick went to Moneague Teachers' College. There, he received official training to be a teacher. After graduating, he taught at a school in Saint Mary Parish, Jamaica. Between 1979 and 1983, he was a principal at several schools. These included Robins Bay All-Age School, Hillside Primary School, and Port Maria High School.
Journey to Church Leadership
Patrick Allen was baptized into the Seventh-day Adventist Church when he was eleven years old. While he was still a teacher, he was trained to be a church Elder. He was encouraged to become a pastor.
After teaching for over ten years, Sir Patrick left his teaching career. He traveled to Andrews University in the United States. In 1985, he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in History and Religion. A year later, he received a Master of Arts in Systematic Theology.
Sir Patrick returned to Jamaica to work as a pastor. He was given more and more leadership duties within the Seventh-day Adventist Church. He became the Director of Education and Communications for the Central Jamaica Conference. This was one of five regional church groups in Jamaica.
Later, he became the Director of Education and Family Life for the West Indies Union of Seventh-day Adventists. This union covered Jamaica, The Bahamas, the Cayman Islands, and the Turks and Caicos Islands.
In 1993, he went back to Andrews University. He worked there while studying for his doctorate degree. He earned his doctorate in Educational Administration and Supervision in 1998.
After getting his doctorate, Sir Patrick returned to Jamaica. He became the President of the Central Jamaica Conference. In 2000, he became the President of the West Indies Union of Seventh-day Adventists. He was re-elected for a second term in 2005.
In his acceptance speech, Sir Patrick said that the church should help solve community problems. These included issues like the HIV/AIDS epidemic, domestic abuse, and violent crime. During this time, he also led the boards of Northern Caribbean University and Andrews Memorial Hospital.
Becoming Governor-General
| Viceregal styles of Sir Patrick Allen (2009–present) |
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| Reference style | His Excellency the Most Honourable |
| Spoken style | Your Excellency |
In July 2008, the Governor-General of Jamaica, Kenneth O. Hall, said he wanted to step down. He was not feeling well. He was asked to stay in the position for another six months.
On January 13, 2009, the Prime Minister of Jamaica, Bruce Golding, announced that Sir Patrick Allen would be the next Governor-General. Some people had concerns because of Sir Patrick's strong ties to the Seventh-day Adventist Church. They wondered if his faith's strict observation of the Sabbath would prevent him from attending events on Saturdays.
On January 28, 2009, Sir Patrick resigned from his role as president of the West Indies Union. He also stepped down from leading other religious organizations in 2009.
On February 26, 2009, he officially became Jamaica's sixth appointed Governor-General. He was the first Seventh-day Adventist Governor-General in Jamaica. Many past governors-general, like Sir Patrick, also had backgrounds as educators.
Awards and Honours
In 2006, Sir Patrick Allen was given the Commander of the Jamaican Order of Distinction (CD). When he became Governor-General, he was made a Member of the Jamaican Order of the Nation (ON).
In May 2009, Queen Elizabeth II appointed him a Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George (GCMG). This appointment was made official from March 26, 2009. On September 2, 2013, Sir Patrick also became a Knight of Grace of the Venerable Order of Saint John (KStJ).
Sir Patrick has also received honorary degrees. These include a Doctor of Public Service from Northern Caribbean University and a Doctor of Laws from Andrews University and Oakwood University. All three of these universities are connected to the Seventh-day Adventist Church.
See also
In Spanish: Patrick Allen (político) para niños
