Archbishop Gordon marks 15th anniversary of episcopal ordination

“A humbling privilege” was how Archbishop Charles Jason Gordon reflected on his 15 years serving as bishop.

It has been a period of graces from God, he shared, while celebrating Mass at Archbishop’s Chapel, September 21, the day of his episcopal ordination as Bishop of Bridgetown, which occurred in 2011. The passage of time seemed like “two blinks” ago and Archbishop Gordon noted that he served as bishop of different dioceses: Bridgetown in Barbados; Kingstown in St Vincent and the Grenadines [September 23, 2011]; Port of Spain [December 27, 2017]; and now administrator for Willemstad, Curacao [January 7, 2025]. He said this has allowed him to see different parts of Church and “a good bit of who we are as Church”.

He disclosed that the experience of being bishop of dioceses in Barbados and St Vincent and returning to the Archdiocese of Port of Spain helped him to understand his role. He said: “The role of the bishop is a very different role, one, that in many ways puts you up in the gallery looking on at the action…in other ways it puts you on the frontline working with the things that have to be done and understanding what must be done.”

Through serving, he said, God has “mercied”  [sic] him and given the grace to see. He explained: “God has helped me to call the sinner and call those who have experienced themselves as unworthy of being part of Church because of whatever has happened or however, they see themselves”.

He thanked the faithful for “putting up” with him and for the years past and years ahead working together.