Prime Minister Mia Mottley has paid tribute to Harold Crichlow, the first black Dean of the Cathedral of St Michael and All Angels, who passed away on Sunday. He celebrated his 90th birthday in January.
The prime minister said the timing of his death was notable, given that it coincided with the Feast of St Alban, the patron saint of converts, refugees and victims of torture.
“The international events of the past 24 hours, juxtaposed against his death today, ought to make us think,” she said. “… His death also appears to be telling us to be forever vigilant.” While she did not specify the event, the US conducted strikes on Iran on Saturday.
Mottley described the late clergyman as the most recognised figure in the Anglican Church’s post-Independence era, adding that he overshadowed every bishop who served while he led the Cathedral flock.
She also reflected on the personal role he played in her life: “Dean Crichlow also prepared me and my siblings for Confirmation classes.”
Beyond his position as Dean, Crichlow served as Deputy President of the Senate, Headmaster of Christ Church High School, a teacher at his alma mater Combermere School, and Chaplain of the Mona Campus of the University of the West Indies. In 1999, he was awarded the Gold Crown of Merit in recognition of his service to religion.
“Never once got the impression that Dean Crichlow saw his role as restricted to the church. His approach to life did not allow for the separation of the spiritual side of man from the temporal. He challenged leaders from every segment of this society on their duties and responsibilities to ordinary Barbadians — but had a special place in his sermons for politicians,” the prime minister said.
“Many would recall how he kept then Prime Ministers Errol Barrow and JMGM ‘Tom’ Adams and their Cabinets on their toes in the 1970s and early ’80s. For years, his Sunday sermons dominated the front pages of the Monday newspapers. Then, when the big debate in the country was about the future of the sugar industry, Dean Crichlow took to the cane fields with his ‘bill’ in a show of leadership from the front — again taking the premier place in the newspapers.”
Mottley added that the late clergyman was a calm yet incisive speaker who addressed serious issues without malice and always grounded his words in scripture. (BT)
The post PM Mottley pays tribute to late Dean Harold Crichlow appeared first on Barbados Today.
