One of Dominica’s most well known priests celebrated the 25^th anniversary of priestly ordination earlier this month.

Fr Franklyn Cuffy (in photo) celebrated quarter century as a priest August 5 at Our Lady of Fatima church, Newtown.

“I think I’ve celebrated almost 10,000 Masses. Celebrating the Holy Eucharist every day, saying ‘This is my body, this is my blood’…for me, this is very humbling, unworthy as I am...”

In an interview with The Chronicle weekly newspaper, the founder and director of Camp Rescue Londonderry said he saw every day as a new challenge, especially because of his involvement in social justice and peace issues. “…However I feel encouraged by the recent papal encyclical (Caritas in Veritate) which reflects on the social teachings of the Church.”

Beside being a parish priest and hospital chaplain, Fr Cuffy has served in various capacities, for example, becoming a member of the Cancer Society Support Team, the HIV/AIDS Advisory Board, and founder and director of the National Right to Life Committee.

Nathalie Sampson, chairperson of the Holy Family Parish Church Committee, described him as a community activist and an advocate for social justice and peace. As a parish priest, “Fr Cuffy is a people’s person and because of that attribute, he went through every nook and cranny of the parish visiting the sick, meeting people and knowing his parishioners.”

Fr Cuffy said “I see my priesthood not as a job, not as a career, not as a profession but as a gift from God…for me, as a person and as an individual, it’s very challenging but I am grateful for the opportunity.”