MONSIGNOR ALBERT, who combines a unique American idealism with a dynamic ability to get things done, has laboured in Jamaica as a Roman Catholic priest for over 25 years. His work on behalf of the poor and disadvantaged has now been recognised by the award of the Opus Prize which will be presented to him at the commencement ceremonies of the University of San Francisco, which will also bestow on him an honorary degree. These are two richly deserved encomia and we join with his thousands of friends and admirers, regardless of their religious affiliation, in extending congratulations to him.
In the words of the Opus citation, Monsignor Albert is a "priest who, having started with absolutely nothing, raised money on his own and implemented a vast new social service network in Jamaica's capital city of Kingston and the populous parish of St. Catherine." Before his elevation to the rank of Monsignor, Fr. Albert made an indelible mark in the violence-prone Waterhouse area where he was involved in trying to persuade Sandokan, a notorious criminal, to turn himself in to the police. His pastoral work in Waterhouse brought him to national attention but it also made him a potential target of criminals in the area. So real were threats to his life that his superiors felt obliged to reassign him to the Stella Maris church parish which included the volatile Grants Pen enclave.
Even as he acquired a devoted middle class following at Stella Maris, he set up the St. Patrick's Foundation to implement numerous important outreach programmes, especially in Grant's Pen. He has been a staunch supporter of Jamaicans for Justice and with delicate diplomatic skill walked a fine line between politics and his religious mission. Although not himself a Jesuit, his work is in the tradition of those American priests who first came to Jamaica in 1894 to serve as humble parish priests throughout the island until their numbers were thinned by death. Many of them are buried in Jamaica whose people they came to love and respect.
With a Roman Catholic population of less than 5 per cent, the beneficiaries of Monsignor's work have been the poor and dispossessed, regardless of creed. The proceeds of the Opus prize, the amount of which has not been announced but is referred to as 'substantial', will be used to further the multitude of projects started by Monsignor Albert and maintained under his watchful entrepreneurial eye. We hail this beloved man of God and wish for him many more years of service to Jamaica.
THE OPINIONS ON THIS PAGE, EXCEPT FOR THE ABOVE, DO NOT NECESSARILY REFLECT THE VIEWS OF THE GLEANER.
