Ian Ernest is the Archbishop of Canterbury’s Personal Representative to the Holy See and director of the Anglican Centre in Rome. He graduated from Madras University, India, with a B.A. in commerce in 1979, followed by a three-years course in theology at St. Paul’s Theological College, Mauritius, then pastoral studies at Westhill College, University of Birmingham. Bp. Ian was ordained priest in June 1985 at St. James Cathedral, Port Louis, Mauritius. After serving as a rector and a missionary priest, he was consecrated as XV Bishop of Mauritius on June 24, 2001, and elected Archbishop of the Province of the Indian Ocean in 2006.
Bp. Ian has served as chairperson for the Council of Anglican Provinces in Africa, 2007-2012; received the G.O.S.K, the second highest distinction awarded by the Republic of Mauritius; was a member of the Design Group of the Lambeth Conference for 2008; and was awarded the Cross of St. Augustine for services to the Anglican Communion. He was elected secretary of the Global South Primates Steering Committee of the Anglican Communion in August 2012. Bp. Ian is married to Kamla, and they have one son, Julian.