Rest in peace, Archbishop Robert Rivas

Archbishop Gabriel Malzaire of Castries will preside at the Funeral Mass for Archbishop Emeritus Robert Rivas OP on Monday, October 5, at St Finbar’s RC Church, Diego Martin. Archbishop Rivas died on Sunday, September 27. He was 80 and had been ailing. Archbishop Rivas served as Metropolitan Archbishop of Castries for 15 years before retiring in 2022.

Even as his health declined, Archbishop Rivas had hoped to celebrate Mass last Sunday. It was not to be. He died peacefully in his sleep at 2.30 a.m. at the home of a relative in D’Abadie.

Archbishop Rivas spent his final days enfolded in the love of family, who tried to make him comfortable after he was discharged from Medical Associates, St Joseph, on Republic Day. He was able to pray with family and share a meal, requesting callaloo, coo coo, and kingfish. Last Saturday, he asked relatives to place his vestments on the altar he had set up in a room of the house so that he could celebrate Mass on Sunday.

The past few years were challenging for the late Archbishop, as health issues resulted in hospitalisation. Most recently, he was warded at West Shore Medical Private Hospital on July 13 and spent more than a month undergoing tests and receiving treatment.

High medical costs prompted fundraising, and many rallied in support. Archbishop Rivas was taken briefly to Promise House before being taken to Medical Associates. During hospitalisation, he was visited by several people, including former parishioners and Religious Sisters, some of whom travelled from overseas.

Archbishop Rivas celebrated the 55th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood on June 27 this year. One of his last public engagements was at Holy Cross RC, Princes Town, on March 6, where he spoke on ‘Discipleship’ at a Lenten retreat.

TRIBUTES

St Lucia Prime Minister Philip J Pierre said in a Facebook post: “For many years, Archbishop Rivas served the people of St Lucia and the wider Caribbean with dedication, humility, and compassion. His years of spiritual leadership touched countless lives, and his contribution to the Catholic Church and our nation will long be remembered.”

The Diocese of St John’s-Basseterre, Antigua, offered prayers for Archbishop Rivas, stating, “May he rest in the peace and light of Christ. We give thanks to God for a life given so generously in service to the Church and throughout the Caribbean, and we hold his family, his Dominican brothers, and the clergy and faithful of the Archdiocese of Castries close in our prayers.”

The Nigeria-based Catholic Religious Order Via Christi Society thanked Archbishop Rivas for opening the doors of the West Indies and the Caribbean to the Society and for his support in the Archdiocese of Castries, even in his years of retirement. In a brief response, members stated: “We will never forget your last words to us: ‘Breathe in the Spirit and breathe out the Church.’ Rest in perfect peace. We will love you forever.”

Statements from the Antilles Episcopal Conference and Archbishop Charles Jason Gordon – Page 24.