The Most Rev. Gabriel Malzaire, Archbishop Elect, will be installed as the new Metropolitan Archbishop of Castries, on Sunday, April 24, at the Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception at 4.00 p.m.
The installation follows an announcement in February by the Vatican of his appointment. The Vatican affirmed: “The Church in Saint Lucia is happy to have one of its sons chosen to be the Shepherd of the flock in Saint Lucia.”
Archbishop-Elect Malzaire will be the 2nd Saint Lucian to be installed as Archbishop and the 4th to serve in the position since Castries was elevated to an Archdiocese in 1974.
Archbishop Patrick Webster, OSB, a Saint Lucian, was the first Archbishop of Castries (1974 – 1979).
The event is not only ceremonial in keeping with the traditions and religious rites of the Catholic Church but will also be solemn adding to its significance. The Archdiocesan Chancery says “Bishop Malzaire is ready to lead the flock in Saint Lucia. Let us roll out the homecoming carpet for him. To God be the glory.”
It added: “Today the Church in Saint Lucia rejoices and is filled with gratitude for its newly appointed Archbishop. Indeed, all of Saint Lucia is proud to welcome the new Archbishop. As members of the OECS, the Catholic Church and people of Saint Lucia wish to thank the Church and people of Dominica for welcoming Bishop Malzaire and supporting him over the past 19 years as he led the Church in Dominica.”
It is expected that the Minor Basilica will be packed to its full capacity and arrangement are being made to accommodate those unable to be seated in the church to view the ceremony on the Derek Walcott Square, on a large-screen TV.
The Archbishop Elect, Most Rev. Gabriel Malzaire, was ordained a priest on July 28, 1985. He served in several parishes in the Archdiocese of Castries and also taught at the Regional Seminary of St John Vianney and the Uganda Martyrs in Trinidad.
At age 45 he was appointed Bishop of Roseau, Dominica, and was ordained as Bishop on October 4, 2002. He has been a Bishop for the past nineteen years and is in his second term as President of the Antilles Episcopal Conference.
He was born in Mon Repos, Saint Lucia, on October 4, 1957, and is the son of Edison Joseph Malzaire and Olive Malzaire both deceased. He has ten siblings. The new Metropolitan Archbishop succeeds Archbishop Robert Rivas O.P., a Trinidadian, who served in the Archdiocese of Castries for fourteen years since his Installation as CoAdjutor Archbishop of Castries on October 14, 2007.
The Holy See appointed his Grace, Archbishop Robert Rivas O.P., Apostolic Administrator of the Archdiocese of Castries until the installation ceremony.