Robert Rivas
Encyclopedia
Archbishop Robert Rivas O.P. (1946 - ) is the Roman Catholic archbishop
of the Archdiocese of Castries
in St. Lucia.
Rivas was born in the village of La Pastora, Arouca, Trinidad
, on June 7, 1946. He is the son of the late Sabina and Placido Rivas, and has one sister and five brothers. Having completed his secondary studies in the Dominican College of Holy Cross, Arima, he entered the novitiate of the Irish Province of the Dominican Order
in Cork
, Ireland
.
After ordination in the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Port of Spain, by Archbishop Anthony Pantin on June 27, 1971, he went to the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas (Angelicum), Rome, where he obtained the Licence in Theology.
After Rome
, he returned to Ireland
where he successfully completed a course in Radio and Television Production, and received a diploma in Communications.
On his return to Trinidad
he spent his first two years of ministry at St Theresa’s, Woodbrook, Port of Spain
, under the direction of the future Master of the Order of Preachers, Rev Damian Byrne.
He continued in parish ministry for another three years in South and North East Trinidad
.
The following years were devoted to involvement in social communications, Campus Ministry at the University of the West Indies, St Augustine Campus, and the formation of young Dominicans for the priesthood and religious life. During this time he completed a programme in Spiritual Direction.
His great wish has always been for more Dominican communities in the Caribbean and for Caribbean integration. From 1985 to 1989, in addition to his work in formation, he served as a special Delegate of the Master of the Dominican Order
in Rome
, to promote the unity of the Order among the Vicariates in the Caribbean. He was the first Dominican in the Caribbean to be appointed to this position.
On October 28, 1989, his appointment as the first Bishop
of the newly created Diocese of Kingstown in St Vincent and the Grenadines was announced in Rome
.
He was ordained bishop of Kingstown on January 22, 1990. Bishop Rivas has the distinction of being the first Caribbean-born Dominican
to become a bishop in the West Indies in 500 years of evangelisation.
Bishop Rivas has served as the chairperson of the Family and Life Commission for the Antilles Episcopal Conference
(AEC), as a member of the Commission for Social Communications (Decos), of the Council of Bishops of Latin America (CELAM) and the chairperson of the National Committee Against Violence in St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG). He served as President of the St Vincent and the Grenadines Christian Council, Chairperson of the National Monitoring and Consultative Mechanism (NMCM), the National Consultative Committee (NCC) and the Police Oversight Committee.
He also served as visitator of the Regional Seminary of St John Vianney and the Uganda Martyrs and as a member of the Pontifical Council for Latin America (CAL). Presently, Archbishop Rivas is the vice president of the National Committee on Crime Prevention (NCCP) and President of the SVG Christian Council. He is the chairman of Board of the Regional Seminary, chairman of the AEC Youth Commission and a member of the AEC Liturgical Commission. Bishop Rivas preaches extensively promoting the missions through Mission Appeals in the USA as well as conducting parish missions and retreats for clergy and religious within the Caribbean and the continental USA.
He is the editor of the Catholic Way, a diocesan publication, produced his first Pastoral Letter for the Jubilee Year
2000, and published the documents of Assembly ’90 and ’98 which are significant documents outlining the Pastoral Plan and development for the Diocese of Kingstown. He is the founding bishop of the Diocese of Kingstown.
As an international speaker he has addressed the National Conference of the Cursillo Movement in the USA, National Conference of Charismatic Renewal in USA, Couples for Christ in the USA and the Caribbean, the National Conference for the Directors of the Pontifical Mission Societies in the USA, International Conference for Priests in Medjugorje as well as a Festival for Youth from all over the world in Medjugorje.
He also addressed an OAS
Conference at the Second Assembly of the Association of Caribbean Electoral Organizations in Jamaica
on the “Role of Civil Society and Political Parties in the Electoral Process”. He was also a speaker at World Youth Day
in Toronto
, Canada
(2002). He addressed the Union of Bicol Priests in Naga City, Philippines in 2006.
On May 31, 2005, he was appointed Apostolic Administrator
of the Diocese of Bridgetown, Barbados
.
As he approached his retirement age, Archbishop
Kelvin Felix
of the Archdiocese of Castries
requested of the Vatican that a co-adjutor archbishop be appointed to ensure a smooth transition in the Archdiocese. On July 19th, 2007 Bishop Robert Rivas of the Diocese of Kingstown was appointed Co-adjutor Archbishop of the Diocese of Castries. He was presented on October 14, 2007.
Archbishop
An archbishop is a bishop of higher rank, but not of higher sacramental order above that of the three orders of deacon, priest , and bishop...
of the Archdiocese of Castries
Castries
Castries , population 10,634, aggl. 37,963 , is the capital city of Saint Lucia, a country in the Caribbean. The district with the same name had a population of 61,341 in 2001-05-22, and stretches over an area of ....
in St. Lucia.
Rivas was born in the village of La Pastora, Arouca, Trinidad
Trinidad
Trinidad is the larger and more populous of the two major islands and numerous landforms which make up the island nation of Trinidad and Tobago. It is the southernmost island in the Caribbean and lies just off the northeastern coast of Venezuela. With an area of it is also the fifth largest in...
, on June 7, 1946. He is the son of the late Sabina and Placido Rivas, and has one sister and five brothers. Having completed his secondary studies in the Dominican College of Holy Cross, Arima, he entered the novitiate of the Irish Province of the Dominican Order
Dominican Order
The Order of Preachers , after the 15th century more commonly known as the Dominican Order or Dominicans, is a Catholic religious order founded by Saint Dominic and approved by Pope Honorius III on 22 December 1216 in France...
in Cork
County Cork
County Cork is a county in Ireland. It is located in the South-West Region and is also part of the province of Munster. It is named after the city of Cork . Cork County Council is the local authority for the county...
, Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
.
After ordination in the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Port of Spain, by Archbishop Anthony Pantin on June 27, 1971, he went to the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas (Angelicum), Rome, where he obtained the Licence in Theology.
After Rome
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
, he returned to Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
where he successfully completed a course in Radio and Television Production, and received a diploma in Communications.
On his return to Trinidad
Trinidad
Trinidad is the larger and more populous of the two major islands and numerous landforms which make up the island nation of Trinidad and Tobago. It is the southernmost island in the Caribbean and lies just off the northeastern coast of Venezuela. With an area of it is also the fifth largest in...
he spent his first two years of ministry at St Theresa’s, Woodbrook, Port of Spain
Port of Spain
Port of Spain, also written as Port-of-Spain, is the capital of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago and the country's third-largest municipality, after San Fernando and Chaguanas. The city has a municipal population of 49,031 , a metropolitan population of 128,026 and a transient daily population...
, under the direction of the future Master of the Order of Preachers, Rev Damian Byrne.
He continued in parish ministry for another three years in South and North East Trinidad
Trinidad
Trinidad is the larger and more populous of the two major islands and numerous landforms which make up the island nation of Trinidad and Tobago. It is the southernmost island in the Caribbean and lies just off the northeastern coast of Venezuela. With an area of it is also the fifth largest in...
.
The following years were devoted to involvement in social communications, Campus Ministry at the University of the West Indies, St Augustine Campus, and the formation of young Dominicans for the priesthood and religious life. During this time he completed a programme in Spiritual Direction.
His great wish has always been for more Dominican communities in the Caribbean and for Caribbean integration. From 1985 to 1989, in addition to his work in formation, he served as a special Delegate of the Master of the Dominican Order
Dominican Order
The Order of Preachers , after the 15th century more commonly known as the Dominican Order or Dominicans, is a Catholic religious order founded by Saint Dominic and approved by Pope Honorius III on 22 December 1216 in France...
in Rome
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
, to promote the unity of the Order among the Vicariates in the Caribbean. He was the first Dominican in the Caribbean to be appointed to this position.
On October 28, 1989, his appointment as the first Bishop
Bishop
A bishop is an ordained or consecrated member of the Christian clergy who is generally entrusted with a position of authority and oversight. Within the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox Churches, in the Assyrian Church of the East, in the Independent Catholic Churches, and in the...
of the newly created Diocese of Kingstown in St Vincent and the Grenadines was announced in Rome
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
.
He was ordained bishop of Kingstown on January 22, 1990. Bishop Rivas has the distinction of being the first Caribbean-born Dominican
Dominican Order
The Order of Preachers , after the 15th century more commonly known as the Dominican Order or Dominicans, is a Catholic religious order founded by Saint Dominic and approved by Pope Honorius III on 22 December 1216 in France...
to become a bishop in the West Indies in 500 years of evangelisation.
Bishop Rivas has served as the chairperson of the Family and Life Commission for the Antilles Episcopal Conference
Antilles Episcopal Conference
The Antilles Episcopal Conference is a Roman Catholic episcopal conference. Its members are bishops and archbishops from current and former British, Dutch, and French colonies and dependencies in the Caribbean , Central America, and northern South America. The conference's membership includes five...
(AEC), as a member of the Commission for Social Communications (Decos), of the Council of Bishops of Latin America (CELAM) and the chairperson of the National Committee Against Violence in St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG). He served as President of the St Vincent and the Grenadines Christian Council, Chairperson of the National Monitoring and Consultative Mechanism (NMCM), the National Consultative Committee (NCC) and the Police Oversight Committee.
He also served as visitator of the Regional Seminary of St John Vianney and the Uganda Martyrs and as a member of the Pontifical Council for Latin America (CAL). Presently, Archbishop Rivas is the vice president of the National Committee on Crime Prevention (NCCP) and President of the SVG Christian Council. He is the chairman of Board of the Regional Seminary, chairman of the AEC Youth Commission and a member of the AEC Liturgical Commission. Bishop Rivas preaches extensively promoting the missions through Mission Appeals in the USA as well as conducting parish missions and retreats for clergy and religious within the Caribbean and the continental USA.
He is the editor of the Catholic Way, a diocesan publication, produced his first Pastoral Letter for the Jubilee Year
Jubilee (Christian)
The concept of the Jubilee is a special year of remission of sins and universal pardon. In the Biblical Book of Leviticus, a Jubilee year is mentioned to occur every fifty years, in which slaves and prisoners would be freed, debts would be forgiven and the mercies of God would be particularly...
2000, and published the documents of Assembly ’90 and ’98 which are significant documents outlining the Pastoral Plan and development for the Diocese of Kingstown. He is the founding bishop of the Diocese of Kingstown.
As an international speaker he has addressed the National Conference of the Cursillo Movement in the USA, National Conference of Charismatic Renewal in USA, Couples for Christ in the USA and the Caribbean, the National Conference for the Directors of the Pontifical Mission Societies in the USA, International Conference for Priests in Medjugorje as well as a Festival for Youth from all over the world in Medjugorje.
He also addressed an OAS
Organization of American States
The Organization of American States is a regional international organization, headquartered in Washington, D.C., United States...
Conference at the Second Assembly of the Association of Caribbean Electoral Organizations in Jamaica
Jamaica
Jamaica is an island nation of the Greater Antilles, in length, up to in width and 10,990 square kilometres in area. It is situated in the Caribbean Sea, about south of Cuba, and west of Hispaniola, the island harbouring the nation-states Haiti and the Dominican Republic...
on the “Role of Civil Society and Political Parties in the Electoral Process”. He was also a speaker at World Youth Day
World Youth Day
World Youth Day is a youth-oriented Catholic Church event. While the event itself celebrates the Catholic faith, the invitation to attend extends to all youth, regardless of religious convictions....
in Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
(2002). He addressed the Union of Bicol Priests in Naga City, Philippines in 2006.
On May 31, 2005, he was appointed Apostolic Administrator
Apostolic Administrator
An apostolic administrator in the Roman Catholic Church is a prelate appointed by the Pope to serve as the ordinary for an apostolic administration...
of the Diocese of Bridgetown, Barbados
Barbados
Barbados is an island country in the Lesser Antilles. It is in length and as much as in width, amounting to . It is situated in the western area of the North Atlantic and 100 kilometres east of the Windward Islands and the Caribbean Sea; therein, it is about east of the islands of Saint...
.
As he approached his retirement age, Archbishop
Archbishop
An archbishop is a bishop of higher rank, but not of higher sacramental order above that of the three orders of deacon, priest , and bishop...
Kelvin Felix
Kelvin Felix
Kelvin Edward Felix, is the Roman Catholic Metropolitan Archbishop of Castries. He was born in Roseau, Dominica on 15 February 1933. He was ordained into the Catholic priesthood in 1956....
of the Archdiocese of Castries
Archdiocese of Castries
The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Castries is an archdiocese of the Latin Rite of the Roman Catholic Church in the Caribbean. The archdiocese consists of the entirety the former British dependency of Saint Lucia. The archdiocese is the metropolitan of 4 dioceses: Diocese of Roseau, the Diocese of...
requested of the Vatican that a co-adjutor archbishop be appointed to ensure a smooth transition in the Archdiocese. On July 19th, 2007 Bishop Robert Rivas of the Diocese of Kingstown was appointed Co-adjutor Archbishop of the Diocese of Castries. He was presented on October 14, 2007.