The papal flag flew at full mast at the official residence of Bishop of Bridgetown, Malcolm Galt, in honour of the visit of the Apostolic Pro-Nuncio, Archbishop Thomas Gullickson, from Tuesday, March 15 to Friday 18.

His Excellency officially visited the island to present his credentials to Governor General, Sir Clifford Husbands. During his stay, however, he also met with the clergy, religious sisters and the lay consecrated of the diocese.

Archbishop Gullickson was also the homilist and chief celebrant at St Patrick's Cathedral's patronal Mass, March 17, at which he was officially introduced to the faithful. Diocesan priest, Fr Vibert Stephens, also celebrated his eighth anniversary of ordination at that Mass.

In his homily, the Pro-Nuncio exhorted the congregation to follow the example of St Patrick.

Young Patrick was captured at the age of 16 and sold into slavery in Ireland , but found God in the midst of his suffering. So enamoured was he by the Gospel that, years later, having escaped and returned to his homeland, he did not hesitate to return to the place of his enslavement to spread that Gospel.

“If we were to pray like Patrick, if Jesus were to become the be-all and end-all of our lives, as He was for Patrick,” said His Excellency, “what is to say that some day the world might not be referring to Barbados as the ‘isle of saints and scholars' here in the Caribbean ?”

Originally from South Dakota , USA , this is Archbishop Gullickson's first posting as Apostolic Pro-Nuncio, although he has served in diplomatic missions in Rwanda , Austria , Czechoslovakia , Jerusalem and Palestine and, most recently, Germany .

St Patrick's Cathedral administrator, Fr Harcourt Blackett (left) introduces Archbishop Gullickson (centre) to parishioner, Cecil Ince.

Since his November 2004 appointment to the Caribbean, he has visited six out of the 12 independent territories in the region for which he now has responsibility. From his conversations with persons in the various Caribbean territories, he noted that evangelisation appeared to be an important challenge.

“From what the people tell me, there's a tremendous openness to religion, an openness to faith in this region.”

This openness, he said, presents “a unique opportunity for evangelisation.”

Of his time in the Caribbean thus far, Archbishop Gullickson exclaimed, “I'm enjoying the people no end! Caribbean hospitality and the style of life took me by surprise in comparison to the other places I've worked.”

In Barbados and the other territories, though, there was a “different style”, he said.

“Everyone speaks!” he declared. “In big city culture people don't make eye contact. It was a pleasant surprise. I am very honoured to be in this part of the world.”

As the representative of Pope John Paul II in the region, the Pro-Nuncio declared his intention to “do my best to be his heart and his hands in this part of the world.”