Archbishop Gilbert promoted social justice

By Leela Ramdeen

Consultant, Catholic Commission

for Social Justice

I had just returned to London from Vietnam on October 16 when my friend rang me from Trinidad to inform me that Archbishop Emeritus Edward Gilbert CSsR had died on the night of October 15.

While I mourn his passing, I thank God for the opportunity I had to work with and to learn from him—particularly in relation to the Social Doctrine of our Church. Pope Francis rightly said some years ago: “Our life spreads light when it is given in service. The secret of joy is living to serve”. Our dear Archbishop Gilbert truly lived to serve—selflessly.

The birth of the social justice mission

I had known the then Fr Jason Gordon since my years living in London. In the early 2000s he invited the late Clive Belgrave, Sr Juliet Rajah CHF, Sr Roberta O’Flaherty CHF, and me to meet with him at Living Water Community (LWC) to plan and implement a monthly television programme entitled: Ask Why, to be aired on Trinity Communications Network. The aim was to highlight social ills within the context of the Church’s social doctrine and to make recommendations/suggest solutions.

Then came the Synod sitting in 2003. Those who attended this sitting of Synod, which commenced in January 2003, under the leadership of then Archbishop Edward Gilbert CSsR, stated that they wanted him to be the “clarion voice for social justice” in the Archdiocese. He responded by stating that he would establish a social justice commission as a department in the Archdiocese.

Fr Jason informed Archbishop Gilbert that he had known me from my work with the late Cardinal Basil Hume in London and suggested that I would be a good person to be considered as Chair. I had worked voluntarily with Cardinal Hume for more than 10 years, as his Vice-Chair of C5 (The Cardinal’s Continuing Committee for the Caribbean Community). The Cardinal was the Chair.

Srs Juliet and Roberta accompanied me to a meeting with Archbishop Gilbert. I left the meeting puzzled. Why did I accept the offer to Chair the new Commission when I had other plans? And the rest, as the saying goes, is history. God was in charge!

Founding the Catholic Commission for Social Justice

In March 2003, Archbishop Gilbert established the Catholic Commission for Social Justice (CCSJ) with an office at Archbishop’s House. He appointed me Chair of the Commission.

As the work began, the Lord sent some talented Catholics to work with me on CCSJ’s Management Committee. Together with Fr Jason, Vicar of Administration, we carefully crafted our Aims, Objectives, and Core Values.

A visionary and administrator

During his tenure in our Archdiocese (2001–2011), Archbishop Gilbert engaged in administrative and pastoral reform, as he had done when he was Bishop of Roseau, Dominica.

As Camsel’s media statement on his passing noted: “During his episcopal ministry, he strengthened diocesan structures, promoted vocations and fostered deeper collaboration between clergy, [the] Religious and laity.”

Archbishop Charles Jason Gordon has rightly said that Archbishop Gilbert’s “stewardship is recognised for the foundation he laid for a stronger church in T&T and the region.”

Rooted in Redemptorist spirituality

Archbishop Gilbert was a sound biblical theologian. Inter alia, he had served at various levels as a Redemptorist, including Provincial Superior. He brought these gifts to bear on his work in our Archdiocese.

As Wikipedia tells us, Redemptorists are deeply involved in social justice, viewing it as an intrinsic part of their mission to preach the Gospel and serve the most abandoned and poor.

This commitment is rooted in their spirituality, which sees social ministry as a response to God’s call to transform social injustice and show solidarity with the poor. They work to promote justice, peace, and the integrity of creation.

His work as a Redemptorist aligns with Catholic Social Teaching, which emphasises the dignity of every person and the need to address the systemic causes of poverty and exclusion.

Faith in action

As well as working to strengthen the work of the Youth Commission, Family Life Commission and other archdiocesan departments, his discussions with me at our weekly/fortnightly meetings—one on one—highlighted his commitment to ensure that the social doctrine of our Church underpins the work of all departments/parishes in the Archdiocese.

I loved listening to his homilies. He knew how to communicate with persons at all levels of society and always spoke with authority.

Archbishop Gilbert’s commitment to promote the social doctrine of our Church was evident in all that he did. Indeed, within four months of the establishment of CCSJ, CCSJ worked with him to produce a joint four-page statement which was released at a press conference at Archbishop’s House on Wednesday, July 30, 2003, entitled: ‘Mobilising the entire community to reduce crime’.

During my work with Archbishop Gilbert, he afforded me the opportunity to attend key Conferences that informed CCSJ’s work and the work of the Archdiocese.

Humility and humour

Archbishop Gilbert had a tremendous sense of humour. On one occasion, I arrived at Archbishop’s House at around 5 a.m. to retrieve some documents that I needed for a TV interview at 6 a.m. As I approached the kitchen along the corridor (in those days Archbishop Gilbert sometimes used the kitchen that is now used by staff), I obviously startled him. He laughed and said: “I was hoping that it would be a good spirit coming in at this hour!”

I left CCSJ at the end of my three-year term in 2006. Fr Michael Moses was appointed as my successor. He did much to highlight the dangers/cost to the environment/society of introducing a smelter plant in T&T. Sadly, after just over a year in office, Fr Moses resigned due to ill health. He died in 2008. I accepted Archbishop Gilbert’s invitation to assume the position of CCSJ Chair once again. After I suffered an ischemic stroke, I retired as Chair in 2021. Archbishop Jason appointed me as Consultant to CCSJ. My work in the Lord’s vineyard continues voluntarily.

Archbishop Gilbert’s selfless service in our Archdiocese has inspired all of us to do little things with great love. I join with others in celebrating his life and in thanking him for his service to humanity.

What a legacy! Well done, good and faithful servant. Your deep faith and spiritual strength continue to serve as a guiding light to us all. You showed us how to live the Gospel. May we continue to live out the values you championed.

Rest in eternal peace, dear Archbishop Gilbert. Amen.