The first two decades

Part 2 of a three-part series by Msgr Christian Pereira, who shares personal memories of Archbishop Anthony Pantin. Part 1 appeared in the March 30 issue.

This first decade (1968-1979) of the Episcopate of Archbishop Pantin was indeed a very dynamic and visionary period. Amid his many episcopal duties (Confirmations, Ordinations, pastoral visitation of the parishes), he had some pivotal moments.

In 1972, there was a major clergy meeting at the auditorium of St Joseph’s Convent hosted by our young Archbishop. Br Matthew Feheney of Presentation College presented a paper on Catholic Education including the management of Catholic schools. This gave rise to animated discussion but left us all with great challenges.

Two major initiatives were offered for the increased security and comfort of all parish priests. First was the ‘Parishare’ programme, which was introduced to allow all parishes to contribute to a fund for the needs of outlying parishes. The next was the ‘Clergy Pool’ which required all parish priests to contribute their Easter, Christmas and weekday collections so that every priest will be given an equal monthly stipend to look after his personal needs.

It was during this decade that two visionary institutions were established under the leadership of the Archbishop: the Caribbean Conference of Churches (CCC) and the Inter Religious Organisation (IRO).

Then in 1974, there was another clergy meeting at Benet Hall, Mt St Benedict. This meeting was not quite as cordial as the 1972 meeting. Some young priests and some Irish clergy hurled very abusive comments at the Archbishop. It was a depressing experience that left the Archbishop quite broken.

However, he was a true man of God and servant of the people. Immediately, he called together some religious, clergy and lay people to begin working on our first synodal gathering.

Assembly ‘77 was born and the journey allowed priests, religious and lay people to listen to and collaborate with each other. This climaxed in a weekend gathering (ecclesia) at the Chaguaramas Convention Centre. The Church was reborn and the Archbishop felt a deep sense of pride and joy at the end of his first decade!

In this decade, we recall the transition of our country into Republican status on August 1, 1976 (celebrated on September 24, hence forth). It was also the year that Trinidad and Tobago won our first Olympic Gold medal in Canada.

Somewhere between the end of the first decade and the beginning of the second decade of his service, Archbishop Pantin experienced a spiritual conversion. His self-focused motto, ‘All things to all men’ became ‘It is all God’s work’.

This change was profound as it speaks about all true conversions. We all want to be good, to fulfil Matthew 25. But the most important reality is the recognition that really, it is all God’s work.

Ecclesiastical initiatives

Archbishop Pantin revealed this conversion in the appointment of himself as the Parish Priest of Our Lady of Fatima, Laventille Shrine. This experience, his first as a Parish Priest, had two very significant values: It gave him an insight into the spiritual dynamism of a parish community and it further grounded his skills as a true ‘grassroots’ leader.

It was during 1979 that Archbishop Pantin asked Fr Clyde Harvey (who was teaching at the Seminary) and me (I was assistant at the Cathedral) to accept an appointment as the co-pastors of the Laventille/Morvant Pastoral Area with three canonical parishes, five worshipping communities and four Catholic primary schools. This appointment was to start on September 16, 1979.

The Archbishop then asked me to go to the Siparia parish for the months of June, July and August of that year.

Clyde and I often visited the Archbishop to understand his vision for our ministry. Eventually, the time came, and we embraced the challenge.  We continued to have regular encounters with Archbishop Pantin who visited the Laventille Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima at least six times every year.

The 1980s, the second decade of the Episcopate of Archbishop Pantin had its fair share of challenges. Various structures began to emerge in the archdiocese: eight deaneries were established eventually giving way to five Vicariates; there was talk of a new Diocese being established in San Fernando; the Vatican had a well-established Embassy; the Archdiocesan Council of Priests had quarterly meetings and the Personnel Board (to discuss pastoral appointments) was meeting every six weeks; the Diocesan Clergy held monthly meetings and the Antilles Bishops were meeting regularly. Archbishop Pantin had served as a President to this conference. The nation experienced the birth of a new political party, The National Alliance for Reconstruction.

It was in this decade, I was able to attend the World Cup finals in Spain, but the climax of this decade was the visit of His Holiness Pope John Paul II, February 5, 1985. His visit rekindled great enthusiasm among all our people and enabled us to follow up Assembly ‘77 with another, Assembly ’88.

The Church was making great strides in the society and the leadership of Archbishop Pantin facilitated pastoral initiatives across the Archdiocese.

In Tobago, Fr Madhosingh was creating a pastoral community in the Sacred Heart community of Delaford. He had teachers, nurses and catechists working with him to serve the people of that parish. It was a great experiment.

In Matelot, the physical collapse of the church building enabled a few people to live in the area and establish a Community School where there was not only regular worship, but weekly Bible classes and a unique approach to ministry. Persons like Sr Rosario Hackshaw CHF, Kent Jardine, Fr Joseph Harris and many others, supported by Archbishop Pantin facilitated a revival in this area.

In the South, Our Lady of Perpetual Help, San Fernando, adopted the Moruga parish and the flow of ministry between these communities was mutually beneficial.

Assembly ’88 continued the pastoral thrust of the previous Assembly and incorporated these initiatives as the Archdiocese continued to bloom and integrate itself into the wider society, no longer as a colonial imposition but as an incarnated presence of the living God.