Rev Cyril Paul steps off pulpit

At a retirement function held in his honour at the Arthur Lok Jack Graduate School of Business, Mt Hope, yesterday, Paul told the audience he never lost his enthusiasm for the ministry in all his years and never regretted choosing the ministry as his vocation.

“The church permits me to take a break and then come out of retirement,” said Paul. He said he looks forward to returning to the pulpit in a few months.

He thanked his wife for all her years of support and encouragement and gave praise to God for the communities, congregations and people he has helped.

He was portrayed as a true leader in words and deeds. A man dedicated, compassionate, committed, giving and tolerant — a man whose presence in the church will be sorely missed. In his address, President Maxwell Richards expressed disbelief that Paul was actually retiring. “I cannot envisage such a person going into retirement, fading off the public canvas, never to be seen or heard from again.

“I envisage instead, a change of gears, so to speak, permitting him to grow further in ministry, without the constraint of fixed schedules.”

Richards also stressed the need for those who have taken vows in the context of religion to help motivate moral change in our country, because he said, there is a more public and expected obligation. He wished Paul and his wife, Barbara, all the best in their future endeavours.

The function began with a prayer by Bishop Clive Abdullah and later several friends and colleagues lent their voice in praise. This included Malcom Jones, Executive Chairman at Petrotrin, past student of St Augustine Girls’ High School (SAGHS), Vera Bhajan, Archbishop of Port-of-Spain, Edward Gilbert, and Dr Jennifer Yamin-Ali, lecturer at the School of Education, UWI, St Augustine.

Rolph Balgobin, Director of the Arthur Lok Jack Graduate School of Business, described Paul as “the driving force of the Inter-religious Organisation (IRO).” He told the audience, “He has enriched the quality of our thoughts by sharing his.”

Paul has served in various areas throughout the country as the representative of the Presbyterian Church.

He served as president of the IRO from 2004-2006 and has helped to form IROs in Guyana, Suriname and Barbados. He has also been the Chaplain of SAGHS for the past nine years.

Paul, in his reply thanked all for attending, singling out the President, First Lady Dr Jean Ramjohn Richards, and SAGHS’ Bhajan and presented the women with flowers as a token of appreciation.

Also in attendance were former prime minister and president Arthur NR Robinson and Leader of the Opposition, Winston Dookeran.