Accelerate beatification of Archbishop Pantin

On Wednesday at the Pro Cathedral of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Roman Catholic Church, Harris Promenade in San Fernando, Cardinal Felix was the chief celebrant at the 164th anniversary of the Archdiocese.

As the first Cardinal from the Caribbean, the Papal Nuncio, the pope’s representative in the region believes that now that Felix is “closer to the Holy Father (Pope Francis) than before” he can make the difference as local the Catholic church seeks to make Pantin a saint.

“Cardinal Felix,” Girasoli told the congregation, “you are closer to the Holy Father than before, so we need your wisdom. We need your help, in these parts especially in this country. Now we already have a cardinal, now we need one more thing in the region. We need Archbishop Anthony Pantin, (to be) a saint.

We need to accelerate the process. Whatever way you may help, your eminence, you (will) receive the tape, take possession of your church in Rome. You personally have known Archbishop Anthony Pantin and how he was loved, and still loved, in this region, so we will do our best to continue and we need your help, and your advice in Rome.”

Earlier in the mass Cardinal Felix also called for the church to pray for the beatification of the late Archbishop Pantin.

Girasoli recalled how the then Archbishop Felix was a shocked man when he called him to inform him of his elevation to the position of Cardinal, Girasoli added that by becoming Cardinal he had become stronger, and it was a time to celebrate as he was now closer to Pope Francis.

“You look beautiful in red,” he joked with Felix in reference to his new attire he wore, and which was explained thoroughly to the faithful at the ceremony.

Felix’s ascendancy to Cardinal was an acknowledgment of service, Girasoli said. He went on to describe the local church as being very dynamic remarking that it did not look like an archdiocese 164 years old.

“Looking at the dynamism of this diocese ,looking at the pastoral commitment of the wonderful priests and deacons , looking at the mercies of the men and women belonging to religious congregations, looking at you my dear brothers and sisters, this diocese does not look 164 years old. It looks much younger,” he said to loud applause. Thank you for keeping young, the church in Trinidad and Tobago in the archdiocese of Port-of-Spain.”