BARBADOS
The recent developments with COVID-19 in Barbados, including the reduction in the number of persons permitted to gather, have made it necessary for the ordination plans of Fr Neil Sebastian Scantlebury to be “revisited”.
A release from the Apostolic Administrator, Diocese of Bridgetown Reverend Charles Jason Gordon dated February 3 said after due consultation with key persons, including Bishop-elect Neil and His Excellency Archbishop Fortunatus Nwachukwu, Apostolic Nuncio to the Antilles Episcopal Conference, it has been agreed that the ordination should not proceed on March 17, 2021.
“A new date will be announced in due course,” the release said.
The release mentioned since receiving the wonderful news December 2020 that Pope Francis has appointed Fr Neil as the fourth Bishop of Bridgetown, “we have all been waiting with great excitement and anticipation for his ordination….”
The release ended asking all to continue to remember Bishop-elect Neil in their prayers as he embarks on his journey to Barbados “soon”. Prior to his appointment, he served in St Thomas US Virgin Islands, and was Chancellor there, as well as parish priest St Ann parish, St Croix.