FFTP Mourns Bishop Burchell A. McPherson, Longtime Leader and Advocate for the Poor
COCONUT CREEK, Fla. (March 27, 2026) — The Most Rev. Bishop Burchell A. McPherson, a beloved member of the Food For The Poor (FFTP) family whose faith, leadership, and compassion helped transform countless lives, died Wednesday, March 25, in Jamaica. He was 74.
Affectionately known as Bishop Burchell, he served for many years on the board of FFTP-Jamaica, including as chairman from 2000 to 2011, before joining the FFTP Board of Directors in the United States in 2012, where he was a dedicated member of the Finance Committee.
“Bishop Burchell was a devoted servant of God and a treasured member of the Food For The Poor family,” said FFTP President/CEO Ed Raine. “We were deeply blessed by his wisdom, humility, and steadfast commitment to those in need. His legacy is one of faith in action, and his impact will be felt for generations to come.”
During his tenure with FFTP-Jamaica, Bishop Burchell helped shape and strengthen the organization’s mission, guiding efforts to meet both the social and spiritual needs of the poor. His leadership deepened the charity’s reach across the country and reinforced its commitment to reaching the most vulnerable with dignity and compassion.
“Bishop Burchell was truly a great man, and it was an honor to serve as one of his directors,” said Andrew Mahfood, chairman of the FFTP-Jamaica Board of Directors. “He was deeply engaged with the team and the mission, and he cared deeply about the work we were doing.
When he became Bishop of Montego Bay, he continued that same commitment, ensuring that relief from Food For The Poor reached the most vulnerable in his region. ‘Father B,’ as we all called him, will be remembered as an icon in the Food For The Poor-Jamaica mission, for his service as Bishop, and for his early days as a priest in Olympic Gardens. We will never forget him. May he rest in eternal peace.”
A convert to Catholicism in 1976, Bishop Burchell lived a life defined by service. Ordained to the priesthood in 1991, he spent 25 years at St. Pius X, where he served as both Lay Administrator and priest. His pastoral leadership extended to St. Peter Claver Church and later to the Parish of Sts. Peter and Paul and St. Martin de Porres Church in Gordon Town.
In 2013, he was installed as the third Bishop of Montego Bay, where he also served as Patron of the Good Shepherd Foundation, the Diocese’s social outreach arm. Through his leadership, the Diocese expanded its efforts to serve the poor, including significantly increasing the distribution of food, medical supplies, housing assistance, and self-help initiatives across western Jamaica.
His compassion was perhaps most evident during times of crisis. In 2020, amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Bishop Burchell mobilized resources and personally secured funding to provide meals for hundreds of poor and homeless individuals multiple times each week.
He was also instrumental in advancing education, including helping to establish the Monsignor Gladstone Wilson College for Boys in Montego Bay, reflecting his deep belief in creating opportunity through learning.
He retired in 2023 as Bishop of Montego Bay and held the title of Bishop Emeritus.
In 2024, clergy and congregants gathered at the Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament in Montego Bay to celebrate his retirement and honor a lifetime of service. Bishop Burchell, ever humble, used the occasion to thank those who had journeyed alongside him in faith and mission.
“Bishop Burchell was more than a board member. He was a trusted advisor, a spiritual leader, and a bridge between faith and action,” Raine said. “His influence helped expand programs that brought hope to thousands of families through food, housing, healthcare, and community development.”
Food For The Poor, one of the largest international relief and development organizations in the United States, is committed to facilitating paths out of poverty and transforming lives. As an interdenominational Christian ministry, we help families across Latin America and the Caribbean. Our efforts span urgent humanitarian relief and long-term development – from emergency aid and hunger alleviation to education, housing, and economic empowerment. We follow a distinctive approach that integrates faith, multi-sector strategies, and trusted partnerships. Whenever possible, we strive to work at the community level, partnering with local leaders and residents to co-create sustainable solutions that address the multi-dimensional nature of poverty. For more information, please visit foodforthepoor.org.
Michael Turnbell
Communications
954-471-0928
[email protected]
