by B. Roach
After a joyous welcome upon his arrival to the Diocese of St. John’s-Basseterre in St. Kitts, and his solemn ordination as bishop in Antigua on February 8, 2012, Bishop Kenneth David Oswin Richards paid his first visit to the Montserrat St. Patrick’s Parish beginning on Sunday, March 4, where he
Bishop Kenneth David Oswin Richards
received a real warm Montserrat welcome.
According to the bishop, who among his several duties, met with the press on Friday at the St. Patrick’s Parish church in Lookout. The bishop said he was most pleased with the welcome he received here in Montserrat, continuing the expression of his appreciation for the children. He was the guest of honour in a motorcade on Sunday afternoon upon his arrival to the church, where a festive welcome awaited him, and which featured the children. Among his other duties and events he met with the children again at St. Augustine school and on one occasion witnessed the Schools annual road race.
The parish made use of bishop’s week-long visit as parish priest Fr. George Agger succeeded in his request to have him preach the parish annual Lenten retreat. The bishop told the press that he had audience with the Governor and Premier, and other ministers including Minister of Ecclesiastes, and the Montserrat Christian Council (MCC).
At the press conference he spoke about his responsibilities and role of bishop to the Diocese. “My responsibility includes administrative responsibility for the territory and which include nine parishes; also liturgical responsibilities with the celebration of the sacrament…see that they are administered properly and then also to ensure the mission of the church which is respect to evangelization.” He added that he has to ensure that the priests and with the other stakeholders of the diocese…we formulate a vision and come together for the proclamation of the gospel.
Fr. George Agger and Bishop Kenneth Richards
The bishop spoke of a challenge which will be big, that is: “one of learning getting to know the people, know the territory, know the culture and of course…because we’re talking about nine different islands, each of them with their own individuality.”
“And so,” the bishop continued, “…today taken some time to just be present, initially to listen to the people, listen to the priest to get a grasp of how we can develop a strategy for the attainment of this vision which respect evangelization and the sanctifying of Gods people.”
The bishop spoke to such other matters and his views of church and state, the decriminalisation of buggery, and how it will always be viewed by the church. He was scheduled to preach and celebrate mass on Sunday which will also be celebrated as the official service marking the opening of the celebration of St. Patrick’s Day week of festivities.
Fr. George gave the brief history of the diocese since Bishop Reece, who is also a Jamaican. Reece, he said, served for 25 years as the Bishop of the Diocese. He had won the hearts of Montserratians, especially, “because he was here during the time of Hugo; was instrumental in helping people through their difficulty and then of course, he was here during the difficulties of the volcanic eruption.”
The well-known Bishop Reece was transferred to Jamaica as archbishop of Kingston four years ago. “During that time while we waited four years for his replacement, Bishop Malzaire, of Dominica acted in the meantime,” the priest informed.
Bishop Richards was full of praise for the people of Montserrat and was delighted with the welcome he had received.
