Archbishop Emeritus Dufour honoured with lifetime achievement award

The Most Reverend Charles Dufour, Archbishop Emeritus of the Catholic Archdiocese of Kingston, and founder of the Good Shepherd Foundation of Montego Bay, has been honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award by Florida-based Friends of Good Shepherd International Inc (FOGS), which has also launched a scholarship in his name.

The award was presented at FOGS’ 29th Annual Fundraising Gala, held at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel in Sunrise, Florida, on April 26, and was the organisation’s Inaugural Lifetime Achievement Award. The gala itself serves as a major fundraising event to support numerous charitable projects across Jamaica, including the Good Shepherd Foundation and Mustard Seed Communities.

In presenting the award, FOGS President Ivan Foreman praised the archbishop’s tireless commitment to social justice, healthcare, and education.

“Our Lifetime Achievement Award is reserved for those rare individuals who devote their lives to the service of others and lead by inspiring example,” said Foreman. “Who better than Archbishop Emeritus Charles Dufour to set the standard for this honour?”

An evidently moved Archbishop Dufour accepted the award with characteristic humility, reflecting on the essential role that Friends of Good Shepherd International has played in improving the lives of Jamaica’s most vulnerable.

Dufour was ordained in 1970 and is the recipient of the Jamaican Prime Minister’s Medal of Appreciation, awarded in 1983, and was appointed an Honorary Prelate of His Holiness in 1991.

Guest speaker Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett, in delivering a heartfelt address, recalled his long friendship with Dufour. Bartlett highlighted Dufour’s grace, humility, and unrelenting passion for the poor and marginalised. He urged the South Florida business and professional community to continue their support of the Friends of Good Shepherd’s work in Jamaica.

Jeanne Robinson-Foster, chair of the Good Shepherd Foundation of Montego Bay, in her remarks, praised the enduring partnership between the local foundation and the Florida-based charity, particularly their joint support of the Hope Medical Complex in Montego Bay.

Robinson-Foster extended special thanks to Schiller Americas, manufacturers of medical equipment, that donated a stress machine, patient monitor, laptop, and treadmill to Hope Medical last year.

She also paid tribute to the tireless work of retired island-based cardiologist Dr Glen Lalljie, noting the significant impact of his volunteer service at the Hope (Teaching) Health Clinic.

Schiller Americas copped the FOGS 2025 corporate award in recognition of the support the company offered to the medical facility, with David Campos collecting the award from Charles and Elaine Kong, long-time supporters of the Good Shepherd Foundation.

Food For The Poor was the banner sponsor for the event, with representative Michael Chin Quee closing the programme with a prayer.

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