2005 Speeches

50th Anniversary Celebration of the Ordination of Father Patrick Bascioon

June 3, 2005

Dr. Roy L. Austin
United States Ambassador
Holy Trinity R.C. Church, Arouca

Good evening, Father Rodriguez and other members of the Holy Ghost Fathers, clergy of the Archdiocese of Port of Spain, parishioners of the Holy Trinity, St. Francis, New Grande, and Malabar Parishes. I am delighted to be here this evening to join you in celebrating the 50th anniversary of Father Patrick Bascio’s ordination. This is a special day and I feel honored to be here to share it with you. On behalf of the US Embassy and American community here in Trinidad and Tobago, I congratulate and thank Father Patrick for the work he has done here and at all the other parishes in which he has worked; and Father Patrick, Don Rojas sends you congratulations all the way from New York City.

Father Patrick is a remarkable American. He is a teacher, author, military veteran, diplomat, and philosopher. He has written books on a wide range of subjects. He has taught in this country at the University of West Indies, and in many other countries. His resumé suggests that he is dedicated to several humanitarian causes: human rights, refugees, and economic development. He must have developed an intimate knowledge of Caribbean cultures, peoples and social structure during his years of pastoral and other work in Carriacou, Trinidad & Tobago, and the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Father’s Patrick’s religious work, added to his effort as economic advisor to at least one Grenadian Prime Minister, and his diplomatic exertion for Grenada at the U.N. mark him as a man of many accomplishments; but first and foremost he is a man of faith. He has lived a life of service to the church and the communities in which he has lived. I make certain assumptions about Father Patrick’s teachings and faith to say that he exemplifies what it means to be a servant of God. To quote from Luke 14:23 (Chapter 14 verse 23) “And the Lord said unto the servant, go out into the highways and hedges and compel them to come in that my house may be filled.” Father Patrick has been filling the houses of God and building caring hearts and minds for a half century.

During this era of increased violence around the world, and the current troubles we all have been experiencing here in Trinidad & Tobago, it is important that all members of our religious community aid in the development of relevant solutions. It is also important for experienced and caring spiritual leaders, such as Father Patrick must be, to serve as examples to draw young people into religious life.

In the midst of the current storm, it is comforting to know that learned men like Father Patrick are around to help lead the people of Trinidad and Tobago into calmer times.

In Trinidad and Tobago as it is in the U.S., as families fail in their task of effectively socializing the next generation, more youths shun educational pursuits and gangs engage in more violence to attain their ends. The increased number of predators roaming our streets increases the need for dedicated clergy to follow in the footsteps of Father Patrick and shepherd new generations into socially redeeming roles.

Father Patrick, I expect that your endeavors have set a standard worthy of emulation. I congratulate you again on 50 years of service, and hope that the Almighty will bless you with the strength to continue your work for many more years. May God bless us all.