BASSETERRE St.Kitts, February 6th, 2012 -- On Saturday, 19 November 2011 the Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI announced, in Rome, the election of Monsignor (Msgr) Kenneth David Oswin Richards, as the new Bishop of the Diocese of St. John's-Basseterre.
The Roman Catholic Diocese of St. John's-Basseterre comprises the islands of Antigua and Barbuda, St. Kitts and Nevis, Anguilla, Montserrat and the British Virgin Islands.The position had been vacant since October 2007, when the Most Reverend Donald James Reece - the then Bishop - was named Coadjutor, Archbishop of Kingston in Jamaica.
Msgr Kenneth Richards was born on 16 August 1958 in Linstead, St Catherine, Jamaica. He attended St. Michael’s Seminary, University of the West Indies in Jamaica, and the Catholic University of America in Washington D.C.
He was ordained Diaconate on 28 September 1984 and one year later to the Priesthood. Msgr Richards served as Associate Pastor at the Holy Cross Church from 1985 to 1989; and as Pastor in the following Churches in Kingston, Jamaica; St. Benedict’s, African Martyrs, Christ the King from 1989- 1995, and at St. Jude’s, St. Patrick’s & Christ the Redeemer Church from 1995 - 2003.
He served as Administrator of the Holy Trinity Cathedral in Jamaica from 2004 - 2011. During the period 2008 – 2011 he was ordained Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Kingston and in 2009 he was bestowed the title of Monsignor.
Msgr Richards has been hailed as a dedicated Christian leader, who backs his words with actions in improving the lives of the poor. He served on a number of Boards and Associations. He was President of the Diocesan Priests Association from 2005 - 2008 and Vice President of the Jamaica Council of Churches (JCC) from 2008- 2011.
The Jamaican newspapers reported that the General secretary of the JCC, Rev. Gary Harriott, described Monsignor Richards as “The Action Man” and recalled his leadership as JCC vice-president, president of the Downtown Kingston Ministers’ Fraternal, peace-building initiatives in troubled communities, intervention in the West Kingston operation in May 2010, continued restoration of the Holy Trinity Cathedral and advancing the ecumenical project.
In his homily at a farewell Mass in Jamaica, Msgr Richards said that his promotion was a call to which he had to respond as he sought to “follow the voice of the Lord”.
He reminded the congregation that, as Christians, they were begotten of God and that they should symbolise Christ in their actions. He also called on persons in positions of influence not to be selfish or partisan in addressing the country’s problems.
Msgr Richards’ life ambition is “To be Holy” (Matthew 5:48), and he has adopted this as his motto. The ordination of Monsignor Kenneth David Oswin Richards, as Bishop of the Diocese of St John’s-Basseterre, will take on Wednesday, 8 February at the Holy Family Cathedral in St John’s, Antigua.
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