At 4.00 p.m. today, Sunday, October 14, Archbishop Robert Rivas will preside at a Pontifical Mass at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Castries, St Lucia and officially take possession of the Archdiocese of Castries, in the presence of the Apostolic Delegate and members of the Antilles Episcopal Conference and clergy and Religious of the Archdiocese of Castries.

On Saturday, July 21, Archbishop Kelvin Felix and newly appointed Coadjutor Archbishop of Castries, Robert Rivas OP met the press at the chancery offices, Vigie.

The following is an extract of the press conference, which appeared in the August/September edition of the Catholic Chronicle

Archbishop Felix: “…It was at my instigation some months ago, when I wrote to the Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI, in view of my coming retirement as Archbishop of Castries, that a new archbishop should be appointed very soon, so as to facilitate the smooth transition of the governance of this diocese, and in order to avoid any long delays.

The Holy Father has acted very promptly and has appointed Bishop Rivas from St Vincent, a very prominent man in our region. He is from Trinidad and Tobago, has been Bishop of St Vincent for the past 17 years and we are pleased to have him as the next archbishop of Castries.

 On behalf of the clergy, the religious and all the faithful of the Archdiocese of Castries, we warmly welcome our brother Robert Rivas, Coadjutor Archbishop.”

Archbishop Felix then went on to explain the role and meaning of the term “coadjutor”. “Now, coadjutor archbishop means, that he is to assist the present archbishop and that he has the right of succession; that is why they use the term ‘coadjutor’.

Otherwise, if he was simply another bishop to assist the archbishop of Castries, he would be called an ‘auxiliary bishop’, a ‘helper’. But a bishop with the right of succession to the post of ‘archbishop’ is called a ‘coadjutor’.

Coadjutor Archbishop Robert Rivas OP

So, from now on, he can be called “Archbishop Robert Rivas,” and as in English-speaking countries, we refer to the archbishop as “Your Grace.”

Archbishop Rivas addressed the gathering, saying, “Your Grace Archbishop Felix, Msgr Anthony, members of the press, I am very grateful for this moment of introduction to the Archdiocese of Castries in St Lucia and also to the people not only of the Archdiocese, but of this nation.

I have come here with a certain amount of nervousness and I hope it’s a healthy nervousness; in other words, I am not here presuming anything.”

After thanking participating members and a formal opening address, Bishop Rivas went on to say, “I am here open to God, to the Church and to the people. Also, I am here ready to listen, to learn and certainly from this experience of listening and learning, to act.

To act decisively and courageously when I have to act, because I am called to be a leader and a leader has to be courageous, prudent and also bold.

I hope that I will bring the qualities of good leadership, especially as a churchman, to this appointment which the Holy Father has made, in appointing me as Coadjutor Archbishop of Castries.

For me this is something that is awesome and one has to approach this with a tremendous amount of humility, because God is awesome and to be called to lead an Archdiocese is an awesome enterprise.”

When asked about his plans for the future of the Archdiocese, Archbishop Rivas said, “Right now I cannot say what I am going to do, what my plans are, because, as the Archbishop said, he is still in charge.

But I will tell you one thing, that what the Archbishop has started I will continue by the grace of God, I am sure through the power and guidance of the Holy Spirit I will be led to new pathways and to new horizons in this archdiocese.

It is all God’s work, but the foundation is there on which we can build; and of course, ‘if the Lord does not build’, in vain be our efforts.”

EDITOR’S NOTE: Only part of the press conference was carried in the August/September issue of the Catholic Chronicle with a note that it would continue in the next issue

Tribute to Archbishop Robert Rivas

From: Cassilda Bart,
Written by her dear friend Ingrid Arneaud, Trinidad and Tobago.

You lived your Confirmation
Promise sticking to your Catholic faith
You did not miss your journey was sacred.

Proud we are in Trinidad and Tobago
More so La Pastora via Lopinot
Your place of birth.

Your stay in Arouca to attend school at Holy Cross College
Saw a shining star.
Mama and Papa Rivas proudly took you to
Holy Mass, having reached great heights a blessing in their sight.
May God grant you wisdom and strength to serve in your ministry
At great length.

October 14, 2007
Archbishop of St Lucia

Many will come from far and near to see our Shining Star.