Established October 1895 Ross University announces scholarships for Barbados students PAGE 5 Saturday June 12, 2021 $1 VAT Inclusive Hewitt HISTORIC promoting a new dawn for democracy REVEREND Guy Hewitt has MOMENT officially thrown his hat in the ring for the presidency of the First Barbadian Catholic Bishop ordained Democratic Labour Party (DLP), contending that his love THE Roman Catholic Fortunatus Nwachukwu, for Barbados has propelled him Church in Barbados now Apostolic Nuncio to the Antilles to stand up, step forward and boasts a son of the soil at its Episcopal Conference, noted urge others to join him on a helm. the significance of Bishop “journey to preserve this Fifty years after he first Scantlebury’s appointment, country’s democracy”. thought of becoming a priest, which came when the Diocese He made the comments Neil Sebastian Ricardo was concluding the festive yesterday evening at the Hilton Scantlebury was installed as the celebrations of the 50th Barbados, where he officially fourth Bishop of the Diocese of Anniversary of its foundation. launched his candidature. Bridgetown during an Episcopal He said the 50th or Jubilee Year Addressing an audience that Ordination at St. Patrick’s in the Biblical tradition is a included party members, Roman Catholic Cathedral, moment of rebirth and renewal. formers Members of yesterday. “Divine Providence now lays Parliament, Senate and Barbadian Catholics were on your shoulders the charge to Cabinet, and members of the without a Bishop for three years lead the ‘little flock’ of the private sector, he effectively when Bishop Jason Gordon left Church of Bridgetown with signalled his goal to speak out the Bridgetown Diocese to renewed spirit into fresh against the shortcomings of the become the Archbishop of Port of pastures,” the Archbishop current Administration, to lead Spain. And it was on December expressed. However, he pointed the DLP into the next general 28, 2020, that Pope Francis out that though Bridgetown is a election and inaugurate a appointed Bishop Scantlebury, small Diocese, “it could be led to new dawn for democracy in 55, to lead the Catholic Church excel in its pastoral zeal and Barbados. in his native home. apostolic witness to the Gospel”. “Barbados has been blessed Principal Ordaining Bishop, Bishop Neil Scantlebury, the fourth Bishop of Bridgetown, with a few great leaders, some His Excellency Archbishop NEW BISHOP on Page 2 addressing the congregation. good ones, and given the law of averages, one or two not so good, and that is not for us to debate tonight. But the strength of our democracy, the strength of our society has been the conviction that both our leaders and our people held a responsibility to this fair land of ours. But tragically, our tradition of outstanding leaders and statespersons have given way to those who use politics for personal glory and advantage and are preoccupied with creating a personal legacy. Equally tragic is the culture of fear that now permeates our politics,” he told those gathered. Hewitt said while he had no intention previously of getting into politics and did not think he had the “psyche of a politician”, he has since changed his mind, indicating that persons within and outside of the DLP have made it clear that the time is ripe for new leadership, not just in the DLP but, he argued, more importantly in Barbados. “Today, today comrades is the first step in the journey to reclaim the soul of our nation. We need to renew confidence in the party of the Right Excellent Principal Ordaining Bishop, His Excellency Archbishop Fortunatus Nwachukwu, Apostolic Nuncio to the Antilles Episcopal Errol Walton Barrow. We need Conference, places the Book of the Gospels upon the heads of The Most Reverend Neil Scantlebury, who became the fourth Bishop of Bridgetown, yesterday. NEW DAWN on Page 4 2 • Saturday June 12, 2021 The Barbados Advocate PM congratulates new Catholic Bishop PRIME MINISTER Mia and stable society. Amor Mottley has of- “Indeed, when I met with fered hearty congratu- Bishop Scantlebury re- lations to fellow coun- cently at Ilaro Court, there tryman, Father Neil was not a shred of doubt Sebastian Scantlebury, in my mind that his on his elevation to the Barbadianness, his humil- position of Roman ity,his devotion to pastoral Catholic Bishop of duties, and his recognition Bridgetown, yesterday. that we are not going to She applauded him on overcome many of the so- being the first Barbadian cial challenges we now face to do so in the near without the return of a na- 400-year existence of tional approach to the in- the Catholic Church in stilling of values in our peo- Barbados, and stated that ple, convinced me that he is it has occurred in the same the right man for the job.” year that the country is She further expressed moving to establish our na- that the Government of tion as a Republic, making Barbados looks forward this occasion even more to working with Bishop memorable and signifi- Scantlebury and his cant. Catholic family,and indeed “Today, we have come a the rest of the ecumenical long way,” she declared. community in Barbados in Prime Minister Mottley a new national outreach went on to point out, targeted primarily at our “While we have long-estab- youth, but with the intent lished the principle of of capturing entire fami- separation of Church and lies. State, there can be no “I wish Bishop denying that the Church Scantlebury a long, continues to play a most healthy and successful important role in the main- stint as head of the local tenance of the fabric that is Prime Minister, the Hon. Mia Amor Mottley and Governor General, Her Excellency Dame Sandra Mason, con- Roman Catholic commu- so necessary for a strong gratulate newly ordained Bishop Neil Scantlebury, the fourth Bishop of Bridgetown. nity.” Bishop Scantlebury receives warm welcome NEW BISHOP from of experience you gained “And many a Bishop responsibility. Keep Page 1 during your academic and have tried to go around your laypeople in deep missionary sojourn in their priests straight to the conversation with you and Archbishop Nwachukwu countries distant from the laypeople – it would be a with your priests. expressed his confidence shores of Barbados will big mistake.” “And our Diocese, as in Bishop Scantlebury stand you in good stead to He continued, “Also, our small as it might be, who, during his 26 years build upon the foundation laypeople in Barbados are punches way above its as a priest, served the of your predecessors and incredible. They have weight when it comes to Diocese of St. Thomas in to lead the Church in incredible insight, talent, the care for the poor. Do the US Virgin Islands in Barbados to greater and they are feisty; and not forget the poor, I beg several senior roles, and at heights.” they bring to the Church you. Our work with, our the point of his selection to Archbishop Gordon something amazing. Core journeying with and our become Bishop was Pastor- encouraged Bishop responsibility means that accompanying of the poor in-charge of the Holy Scantlebury to “keep your even if you don’t want to to move from poverty to Family Church. priests close as Father of collaborate with them, self-sufficiency has been “I trust that the wealth this family”. they still have a one of the great treasures of this Church and I entrust it to you, and I ask you please in all that you do – please do not ever forget that Jesus Christ is the poor one in our midst.” The historic occasion was filled with music, prayer, and Archbishop Nwachukwu presented the newly ordained Bishop with the Book of the Gospels, the episcopal ring, mitre and crosier A Bishop lays his hands upon the new Bishop of before presenting him to a Bridgetown. welcoming congregation, which included Governor kingdom of God here want to say thank you for General Her Excellency in Barbados,” Bishop your love over the 26 years Dame Sandra Mason and Scantlebury declared, as a priest. It is through Prime Minister the Hon. expressing thanks to all you and the grace of God Mia Amor Mottley. Archbishops, Bishops and that has helped me to be “I stand here as your Priests. the priest that I am today. Shepherd, following in the He also thanked his Thank you for your footsteps of those who family and friends, making challenges, thank you for The congregation at St. Patrick’s Roman Catholic Cathedral came together for have laid the foundation special mention to those your care and thank you the Episcopal Ordination for Bishop Neil Scantlebury. and started to build the from the Virgin Islands.“I for your love.” (TL) The Barbados Advocate Saturday June 12, 2021 • 3 Minister Caddle happy with work so far MINISTER in the the amenity that people for the future. Ministry of Economic can enjoy, but we get to She also said she is Affairs and the stage in partnership pleased to see that there Investment, Marsha with the Ministry of was “some work [done] on Caddle, is satisfied Youth to be able to do the drainage inlets into the with how work in construction of the kiosks canal”, which are aimed Phase III of the and to establish the Hall at improving the drainage Constitution River Road Commercial Village in the area. Also, that Improvements project that is very near and dear measures were imple- is progressing. to me and the people of mented to block “the de- She disclosed this fol- this community. I think bris from the site from lowing a tour of the proj- that we are looking good flowing further down the ect site yesterday.She was so far.” channel and flowing into accompanied by Project Highlighting an area the ocean ultimately”.