The Blessed Sacrament church in Grand Anse was filled to capacity and overflowing to adjacent tents last Sunday afternoon. Bishop of St Georges-in-Grenada, Most Rev Vincent Darius OP was celebrating the fifth anniversary of his Episcopal ordination as well as twenty years of priesthood.

In the congregation were former Governor General, Sir Paul Scoon, Ecclesiastical Affairs Minister, Sen Ann David-Antoine, Parliamentary Representative, Hon Glynis Roberts, Rev Hackshaw of the Methodist Church representing the Grenada Conference of Churches.

As is usual with diocesan celebrations, different parishes performed leading roles in the liturgy. The first Reading was proclaimed by Francis Darius of the Cathedral parish, the Psalm was led in chant by Christopher Julien of the St Andrew the Apostle parish in Grenville, the second Reading was proclaimed by Letha Mc Millan of St Martin de Porres parish in Crochu and the gospel was beautifully chanted by Rev Hugh Logan. Intercessory prayers were led by representatives from the different deaneries.

Bishop Darius used his homily to reflect on the achievements and challenges of the past five years and to offer some projections for at least the next five years.

Bishop Vincent Darius OP at media briefing

Some of these areas of concern include evangelization and catechesis in a bid to bringing people closer to God and not simply bringing them to Church; the youth of the nation particularly in this time of violence; collaborative ministry and recapturing the identity of the Catholic schools where Government and Church must work hand in hand; the spirituality of the diocese where Catholics must be so nourished that they would have enough content to edify others.

His Lordship expressed deep concern about what can be described as a crisis in vocations. He disclosed that, for the first time, there is not a first year student from any of the 20 dioceses in the Caribbean entering the major seminary in Trinidad, and the prospects for next year seems very bleak.

With only 16 seminarians currently in formation, this has serious repercussion in terms of finance and staffing for the seminary as well as for filling vacancies in parishes and in dioceses.

Bishop Darius mentioned four dioceses, which are currently vacant, some for nearly a year, which the Apostolic Nuncio is having difficulty in filling because of the acute shortage of priests and the crisis in vocations.

To this end the Bishop once again appealed to parents and families to encourage their children to become priests and religious. While we welcome missionaries, he said, it is always good for us to have our own.
 
The Bishop expressed profound gratitude for all the support received in various forms and degrees. Chairman of the Diocesan Task Force, Alvin Clouden officially thanked all who were responsible, directly and indirectly, in making the occasion as grand as it was.

These included, but not limited to, the choir and musicians – prepared by Sr. Maureen SJC and under the baton of Ms Ramdhanny, floral arrangements, sound systems and media.

Alvin reminded all Catholics of the next grand diocesan event, which is the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, to be celebrated in Tanteen on December 9. The animator for last Sunday’s Eucharistic celebration was Bro Robert Fanovich.
Light refreshments were served.

Five challenging years

At a media briefing earlier in the week prior to last Sunday’s celebration, Bishop Darius disclosed that his first five years were very challenging indeed.

In the eleventh month of the second year of his episcopate hurricane Ivan struck, followed by Emily ten months later. With most of the churches totally destroyed, partially destroyed or slightly damaged, the Bishop had to provide spiritual guidance and leadership for his scattered and relocated flock. 

Bishop Darius revealed that one of the things he had come to discover during his first five years, and particularly in the post-hurricane period, was his own dependence on God. To be a bishop, he said, means that people would have great expectations; to be local has its added demands in that the bishop is expected to solve all problems.

One of his satisfying endeavours of service, said the Bishop, was in the area of charity. Food, clothing, medical supplies and garden equipment were distributed on a very large scale, not only to individuals but also to charitable groups and institutions; not only to Catholics but to other Christian denominations as well.

About 150 houses were built for the most needy who lost all during the hurricanes. The smooth operation was possible through the activation of the local CARITAS – the charitable arm of the Catholic Church worldwide. Supplies came mainly from Red Cross International and Food-For-The-Poor.

On the question of vocations, His Lordship emphasised that vocations are formed within families therefore family life has to be of quality. To this end, he said, the Church would be developing Family Life programmes.

He would be focusing on the Youth ministry and Vocations Commissions. He mentioned some of the distractions for today’s youth, particularly materialism, hedonism, and a general lack of support and encouragement.

This, he lamented, despite the multiplicity of Christian denominations in Grenada, but many Christian societies do not necessarily make Grenada Christian.

He said that all the societal problems in Grenada stem from a basically a spiritual problem. Bishop Darius is convinced that a collaborative effort on the part of Church, Government, NGOs and well-intentioned citizens is needed for any serious attempt at corrective measures.