The newly invested Monsignori — Colin Bryan, Alphonso Bygrave, John Meany, and Stanley Shearer — have pledged their unwavering dedication to their priestly duties following their historic investiture at Holy Trinity Cathedral. Archbishop Samuel Carter reminded them that the title of Monsignor is purely honorary and charged them to continue their service with the same zeal and devotion that earned them papal recognition.

Published Monday, February, 1975

Four invested with their robes of office

Scarcely had the echoes of the 6 p.m. Angelus Bell of Holy Trinity Cathedral died away yesterday evening when the large congregation that filled all available space in the church rose spontaneously to its feet in a burst of cheering for the four new Monsignori of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Kingston — Monsignor Colin Bryan, Monsignor Alphonso Bygrave, Monsignor John Meany, and Monsignor Stanley Shearer. The newly invested prelates entered the sanctuary in their scarlet robes of Honorary Prelates, making obeisance before taking their places, two on each side of the Most Rev. Samuel E. Carter, S.J., C.D., Archbishop of Kingston.

This dramatic climax came at the end of a unique ceremony in the Cathedral, marking the first time four honorary Prelates of the Church were simultaneously invested with their robes of office. The ceremony concluded a concelebrated Mass, with the principal concelebrants being the Archbishop, the four Monsignori, and sixteen priests.
The ceremonies commenced with a procession from the grounds of the Old Cathedral Rectory on Emerald Road, along North Street, entering the church grounds through the main gate. Led by the Holy Trinity Youth Band, the procession included a large number of laity, delegations from rural and urban ecclesiastical parishes, Cuba Brownies, Girl Guides, members of religious orders, and clergy, with the new Monsignori and Archbishop bringing up the rear.

At the commencement of the ceremony, the Archbishop blessed water and proceeded to sprinkle the congregation, accompanied by Rev. Fr. Vincent of the Cathedral staff, who was the Principal Master of Ceremonies, with Mr. Clinton Price, chairman of the Cathedral Church Council, serving as Second Master of Ceremonies.

The Archbishop then delivered the homily, taking as his text: “You are the salt of the earth; you are the light of the world.”

He remarked that the day was a great occasion for the Cathedral, which had witnessed many historic events. Noting that the previous day marked the sixty-fourth anniversary of the Cathedral’s dedication, he said it was fitting that such an event was being celebrated. He described the investiture as recognition by His Holiness Pope Paul VI of the outstanding services rendered by the new honorary Prelates.

25 Years Ago

He recalled that on the occasion of a previous Year of Jubilee, twenty-five years ago, the late Fr. Vidal accompanied the late Fr. Gladstone Wilson, Jamaica’s first Diocesan priest, to Rome, where Wilson was elevated to the rank of Monsignor. Fr. Vidal himself was made a Monsignor in 1954, followed later by Fr. Richard Watson. For many years, these three were the only Monsignori in Jamaica.

The Archbishop reflected on the determination of the late Archbishop McEleney to encourage the establishment of a local seminary. Out of those efforts came two bishops — His Lordship Bishop Clarke of the Diocese of Montego Bay and Bishop Anthony Dickson, Bishop of Bridgetown, Barbados. Currently, there are fifteen Jamaican diocesan clergy working across the island though he emphasised the continued need for local clergy, encouraging young men to consider the priesthood.

He explained that the title of Monsignor was purely honorary and that the newly invested priests were still required to perform their priestly duties with the same zeal and devotion that earned them papal recognition.

The Archbishop recalled the deep grief, especially among the humble people with whom he laboured, following Monsignor Vidal’s passing last October. He also noted the magnificent tribute paid to Monsignor Gladstone Wilson at his funeral in December by Canon R. O. C. King of the Anglican Church.

“You four men are the chosen men of God. You are the salt of the earth. You are the light of witnessing. You must be witnesses to Christ in every way.”

The Offering and Presentation
The offering of bread and wine was carried up to the altar by Mr. Patrick Meany.

The choirs of Holy Trinity Cathedral and St. Elizabeth’s Church rendered special anthems, with Miss Olive Borland at the organ.

After the Communion, Very Rev. Fr. Lawrence Burke, Jesuit Fr. Superior, read the document of appointment of the new Monsignori first in Latin and then in English.
The Archbishop then addressed the new honorary prelates, questioning whether they were prepared to carry out the duties of their new office, and presented each with a rescript of their appointments. He then blessed the purple robes and presented them to each of the new Monsignori. They briefly departed from the sanctuary and later reappeared in their new purple vestments. During this interval, the two choirs rendered special anthems.

To the singing of the recessional, the lengthy procession wended its way out of the church, with each of the new dignitaries surrounded by congratulating friends.

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