Diocese Mourns the Passing of Archbishop Robert Rivas, O.P.

Sept 2026

The Caribbean Church Mourns Archbishop Robert Rivas, O.P.

Archbishop Robert Rivas, O.P., Archbishop Emeritus of Castries, has died. He passed peacefully in his sleep at approximately 2:30 a.m. on Sunday, 27 September 2026, the Antilles Episcopal Conference (AEC) announced.

Diocese of St. John’s-Basseterre: In Loving Memory

Bishop Robert Llanos, the clergy, and the entire Catholic family of the Diocese of St. John’s-Basseterre have shared this tribute:

On behalf of Bishop Robert Llanos, the clergy, and the entire Catholic family of the Diocese of St. John’s-Basseterre, we join the wider Church in mourning the passing of the Most Reverend Archbishop Robert Rivas, O.P., Archbishop Emeritus of Castries, who was called home to the Lord on Sunday, 27th September 2026.

We give thanks to God for a life given so generously in service to the Church throughout the Caribbean, and we hold his family, his Dominican brothers, and the clergy and faithful of the Archdiocese of Castries close in our prayers.

May he rest in the peace and light of Christ.

Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace. Amen.

A Life of Service to the Caribbean Church

Born in Trinidad and Tobago on 7 June 1946, Archbishop Rivas was ordained a priest of the Order of Preachers (Dominicans) in 1971. He served the Church in Trinidad and Tobago before being appointed the first Bishop of Kingstown, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, in 1990. He later served as Apostolic Administrator of Bridgetown, Barbados, before becoming Coadjutor Archbishop of Castries in 2007 and Metropolitan Archbishop of Castries in 2008. He retired in 2022.

Throughout his priestly and episcopal ministry, Archbishop Rivas served the people of the Caribbean with dedication, particularly through his work in pastoral ministry, evangelisation, communications, youth and formation.

Funeral Mass Arrangements

The following funeral arrangements have been announced:

Detail	Information
Date	Monday, 5 October 2026
Time	10:00 a.m.
Location	St. Finbar’s R.C. Church, Diego Martin, Trinidad and Tobago
Presider	Most Reverend Archbishop Gabriel Malzaire, Archbishop of Castries

Evening Prayers and Continued Mourning

The Office of the Dead, followed by Holy Mass, will be celebrated each evening at 6:00 p.m. throughout the week. The faithful are invited to join in prayer during this time of mourning, commending Archbishop Rivas to God’s mercy and giving thanks for his life of service to Christ and the Church.

Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord.