New Chancellor for Bridgetown

Fr Charles Dominique is the new Chancellor of the Diocese of Bridgetown. He replaces attorney-at-law Glenda Medford who recently retired from the post after seven dedicated years.

A release from the Diocese Friday, April 21 said that Bishop Neil Scantlebury of Bridgetown administered the Oath of Office to Fr Dominque Thursday 20 at The Chancery. Other members of the Chancery team were present to witness the moment.

The release stated Bishop Scantlebury blessed Fr Dominique and wished him success in his new role. Fr Dominique, a Barbadian, was ordained August 12, 2000, as a priest in the English Province of the Order of Preachers (the Dominicans).

He served in the Diocese of Bridgetown as Parish Priest at Our Lady Queen of the Universe and then as Administrator at St Patrick’s Cathedral.

In January 2018, when the Dominicans ended their ministry in Barbados, he moved to Grenada to join the other members of the Order there. After prayerful consideration and due process, he was incardinated into the Diocese of Bridgetown in 2022.

In addition to Chancellor, Fr Dominique serves as Diocesan Director of Liturgy, Diocesan Director of Deacons, and Parochial Vicar at St Patrick’s Cathedral.

The role of a chancellor

A Chancellor is required by Canon law to serve as the primary notary in a diocese and ensures that certain acts undertaken, or decisions made by the bishop are documented in accordance with Canon law. These include appointment letters, ordination documents and decrees made by the bishop.

The Chancellor also prepares or makes inputs into various reports which are requested by the Vatican and the Antilles Episcopal Conference and assists the bishop to address certain queries which may arise from time to time. The Chancellor is also responsible for the Chancery office’s archives.