 |
| Robert Rivas OP |
Robert was a pupil at the Dominican College in Arima, where he came in contact with the Irish Dominicans, who ran the school. On finishing there he travelled to Ireland and joined the Irish Province of the Dominican Order in September 1964. He spent his noviciate year in St Mary's Priory on Pope's Quay in Cork before moving to the Dominican house of studies in Tallaght, where he did his undergraduate studies in philosophy and theology. Robert was ordained a priest on July 4, 1971 in the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Port of Spain, by Archbishop Anthony Pantin.
He and I were students together for two years in the Dominican house of Studies in Tallaght. It is over 50 years and I have little or no recollection of Robert; I recall he was a big man, who was gracious and had an endearing smile. I can never remember him expressing views on any political or theological subjects.
After priestly ordination he spent two years doing post graduate studies at the University of St Thomas in Rome, obtaining a licence in theology. During that time he lived at the Irish Dominican priory of San Clemente on the Via Labicana in the city.
From Rome he came back to Ireland to attend a course in communications, a course that helped him in his later ministry working in communications for the Dominicans in Trinidad and Tobago. He was ably assisted by his brother, who had a printing/publishing business in the country.
Robert published a coffee table book on Trinidad and Tobago and later a collection of selected homilies, reflections and miscellaneous writings. Both books included illustrations and photographs to support the written word.
Robert spent a number of years involved in pastoral work across Trinidad. He was also involved in preparing men for the priesthood.
Damian Byrne, who was master of the Dominican Order from 1983 to 1992, appointed Robert to help bring about a better cohesion between Dominicans working in the Caribbean. During that time he was novice master.
Robert was appointed the first bishop of the newly created Diocese of Kingstown in St Vincent and Grenadines in 1990. In 2005 he was appointed apostolic administrator of the Diocese of Bridgetown in Barbados. In 2007 Robert was appointed coadjutor archbishop of the diocese of Castries.
The Irish Dominican Province was never informed on Robert's appointment as a bishop.
In 2008, he became Metropolitan Archbishop of Castries, leading the archdiocese until his retirement in 2022.
On retiring as archbishop of Castries, Robert returned to Dominican community life and lived in the priory of St Finabar's Morne Coco, Four Roads, Diego Martin.
In recent years Robert had been suffering from ill-health.
May he rest in peace.
No comments:
Post a Comment