Condolence have been pouring in after the passing of Roman Catholic priest, Father Malcolm Rodrigues, who died on Sunday.
Jesuit Priest Malcolm Rodrigues
Reports are that he died at the St Joseph’s Mercy Hospital at the age of 81.
Father Rodrigues was a prominent Guyanese Jesuit ordained in 1971. Over the years, he has been active in many ministries.
In his earlier days, he completed his MA in Physics in 1972 and was later posited at the University of Guyana, serving in capacities as Head of the Physics Department; then the Dean of the Faculty of Natural Sciences. He then became the Deputy Vice Chancellor of UG until 1993. He was also the Director of the Environmental Sciences Unit from 1995 to 1998.
Father Rodrigues also served for many years as a member of the Iwokrama Committee from 1989 to 1990, then member of the Interim Board, then Government nominee on the International Board until his passing.
The late priest was active as Chair of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and has sat on several labour-related tribunals. He was a member of the Indigenous People’s Commission and committee member of the Guyana Media Proprietor Association.
A Cacique Crown of Honour recipient, he was also active for his human rights activism. After retiring from teaching, Father Malcolm was appointed Parish Priest of Bartica Parish and later, priest of several Catholic communities of the North West District.
After hearing of his passing, President Irfaan Ali also shared his tribute, expressing that Guyana and the Roman Catholic Church has lost a true champion.
The President penned, “It is with great sadness I learned of the death of Father Malcolm Rodrigues. Guyana and in particular the Roman Catholic Church have lost a true champion. His life was punctuated with humility, simplicity, justice and a strong commitment to a free and democratic society. To his family, the church and all his loved ones, please accept my deepest sympathies during this difficult time. I pray his soul finds eternal peace.”
