The well-known and celebrated Jesuit priest Father Malcolm Rodrigues, whose work, apart from notable stints at the University of Guyana, spanned the fight for democracy and environmental stewardship and earned him a national award, has died.
Fr Rodrigues, who was 81, died on Sunday evening at the St Joseph Mercy Hospital in Georgetown. He was a recipient of the Cacique Crown of Honour, Guyana’s third highest national award.
President Dr Irfaan Ali has led tributes on the passing of Father Rodrigues.
“It is with great sadness I learned of the death of Father Malcolm Rodrigues. Guyana and, in particular, the Roman Catholic Church have lost a true champion.
“His life was punctuated with humility, simplicity, justice and a strong commitment to a free and democratic society.
To his family, the church and all his loved ones, please accept my deepest sympathies during this difficult time. I pray for his soul to find eternal peace,” President Ali stated.
Catholic Media Guyana, in announcing Fr Rodrigues’ death, noted that he was ordained in 1973 and had been active in various ministries.
In detailing in career, it said he completed his M.A (Oxon) in Physics in 1972 and was later posted at the University of Guyana, serving as Head of the Physics Department (1976-1984) and then Dean of the Faculty of Natural Sciences (1986-1989).
He later became deputy Vice Chancellor of UG and held the post from 1991 to 1993, Catholic Media Guyana added, and was also director of the Environmental Studies Unit from 1995-1998.
“Fr Rodrigues served Iwokrama for many years as a Member of the Iwokrama Committee from 1989 to 1990., then member of the Interim Board as well as a government nominee on the Board from its inception.
“He has also served as chair of Guyana’s Environmental Protection Agency and has sat on several labour related tribunals,” Catholic Media Guyana stated.
It added: “He served as member of the Indigenous Peoples Commission and a committee member of the Guyana Media Proprietors Association as the Catholic Standard representative,.
Father Rodrigues is recognized as one of those who fought for democracy during the time of the Forbes Burnham regime in the 1970s and 80s.