Cardinal Kelvin Felix to celebrate 60 years as a priest

Cardinal Felix (left) shares a word with another prominent Catholic priest from Dominica,  Fr. Clement Jolly
Cardinal Felix (left) shares a word with another prominent Catholic priest from Dominica, Fr. Clement Jolly

On April 17, 2016, His Eminence Kelvin Edward Cardinal Felix will celebrate his 60th anniversary of priestly ordination with a mass at the Windsor Park Sports Stadium.

He has worked and contributed significantly in several spheres of life in Dominica and the region.

Cardinal Felix was born on February 15, 1933 in Roseau Dominica, one of the nine children of Major Edward Mosley Felix, Chief of the Dominica Police Force and his wife Melanie Cadette. His primary education was at the Roseau Boys School, followed by secondary education at the Dominica Grammar School. He then proceeded to study for the priesthood at the Regional Seminary of St. John Vianney in Trinidad and was ordained as a priest on April 8th 1956 in Dominica. He was the first diocesan priest and the first priest to be ordained in Dominica.

Cardinal Felix attained a Diploma in Adult Education from the University of Nova Scotia in 1963 and a Masters Degree from the University of Notre Dame in Indiana in Sociology and Anthropology. He also in 1970 completed post graduate studies in Sociology at the University of Bradford in Yorkshire, England.

Among the various positions which he subsequently held, He taught at the Regional Seminary of St. John Vianney and Ugandan Martyrs, Trinidad and was a lecturer at the University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus; he was Principal of the St. Mary’s Academy from 1972 to 1975. He also served in regional leadership as the Associate General Secretary of the Caribbean Conference of Churches from 1981 to 1986 and President of the Antilles Episcopal Conference from 1991 to 1997. In addition he served internationally on various Pontifical committees of the Holy See, such as the Pontifical Council for Family Life, Vox Clara, he Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue and he Synodal Council for America.

He was appointed as Archbishop of the province of Castries on October 8th 1981 and his province included the dioceses of St. George’s in Grenada, Kingstown, Roseau and St. John’s/Basseterre. He was awarded an Honary Doctorate of Law from Francis Xavier University in Nova Scotia in 1986.

At the Papal Consistory of February 22nd 2014, Pope Francis elevated the then Archbishop Felix to the rank of Cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church. He was appointed Cardinal Priest of Santa Maria della Salute a Primavalle.

In addition to the many distinguished positions in which he has served, Cardinal Felix was also awarded the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 1992, the Dominica Medal of Honour, Dominica’s highest award, in 1999 and the St. Lucia Medal of Honour in 2002.

Cardinal Felix retired in 2008 and returned to his homeland Dominica and served as parish Priest of Grandbay and later Soufriere where he still resides and assists.

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25 Comments

  1. Pope
    April 15, 2016

    If King Julian is coming to that thing, I not going.

  2. Edris Anselm
    April 15, 2016

    This was a well written article…it speaks volumes on the great strides that Catholics worldwide especially Dominica have made. Cardinal Felix roots trace back to the Eastern part of Dominica, so as a daughter of the East I wish you an abundance amount of joy and happiness in the celebration of 60 years of priestly ordination

  3. abc
    April 15, 2016

    FATHER JOLLY a man with such a kind spirit.we miss u at our parish.

    • Fr. Franklyn Cuffy,
      April 16, 2016

      I am delighted to inform you that a Book, “A Pilgrim’s Journey” the Life and Ministry of His Eminence Cardinal Kelvin Edward Felix, by Fr. Clement S. Jolly, C.S.s.R. is now available
      This book was printed by Paramount Printers, Ltd. Wallhouse, Loubiere, Commonwealth of Dominica.
      This book is on the market for $40:00.

  4. Sylvester Cadette
    April 15, 2016

    Congratulations Cardinal Felix on such a milestone. This is indeed an example of dedication, commitment, love for humanity and the giving of one’s self to the service of God and to the children of God. I heard quite a bit about him while growing up. My Dad (Lazarus Cadette) himself a CUM pastor, always told us of his cousin serving as Archbishop in St. Lucia. Since I am flying in on that day I may seek to attend.

    CONGRATULATIONS For Your Great Service.

  5. Jaime Lewis
    April 15, 2016

    To God be the glory, for He has done great things. Congratulations to Cardinal Felix, his family, the Catholic Church in Dominica, St. Lucia, and the other countries that have been blessed by Cardinal Felix’s service. May God continue to bless his ministry, and bless him with good health and peace of mind.

  6. Titiwi
    April 14, 2016

    I hope the event at the stadium is for the poor to be fed loaves and fishes and not just a select occasion for self congratulation by the high and mighty by the Princes of the church and the Knights of sacred orders.
    I have the greatest respect for cardinal Felix and trust he will find it in his heart to let the poor, dispossessed downtrodden partake of his banquet table and not shut them out from the celebrations so as to make it truly a feast- and rejoicing of the masses in the spirit of the teachings of Jesus Christ, for they shall inherit the earth.

  7. an
    April 14, 2016

    congrats sir

  8. The truth
    April 14, 2016

    Congratullations from the Parish of “our Lady of Health” we love you. God bless your Ministry.
    We will be there to celebrate with you.

    • Face the Facts
      April 16, 2016

      Is this name for Our Lady new? I am aware of Our Lady of Good Remedy.

  9. tj
    April 14, 2016

    Congratulations to a well deserved son of the soil.I look forward to meeting you .

  10. Face the Facts
    April 14, 2016

    Your Eminence, Cardinal Kelvin Felix, congratulations!
    This is indeed a milestone, 60 years as a Priest, Bishop, Archbishop and now Cardinal.
    The Lord has showered his blessing and graces on you. You have worked hard and continue to do so for His Church, our Church.
    May God bestow on you many more years to come with health and strength, as you continue to faithfully serve Him and His Church.
    Hope to see you in Toronto this summer. I expect as always you will visit.
    God bless you!

  11. nicole
    April 14, 2016

    Congratulations Sir. I guess this is the path which makes you happy…It just goes to show that people and their needs are sooo different. 60 years without……? I would not be able to do it.

    • Face the Facts
      April 16, 2016

      The vow of celibacy. It is a vow to God, a life of sacrifice. Not easy I must say but when you keep busy in the Lord, time flies. :lol: They consistently have to pray and to ward off the devil’s whims and wiles, temptation. We have to do likewise.
      St. Paul did say: “I can do all things with Christ who strengthens me.”
      Some people take vows as married ones and do not fulfill their vow.
      We Catholics must pray for our Priests, Bishops, etc. just as we pray for ourselves. We must also pray for the entire world.

    • Face the Facts
      April 16, 2016

      1 Cor. 6:17-20 – Only, everyone should live as the Lord has assigned, just as God called each one. I gave this order in all the churches. Everyone should remain in the state in which he was called.
      1 Cor. 7:32-35 – Status in Life – I should like you to be free of anxieties. An unmarried man is anxious about the things of the Lord, how he may please the Lord. But a married man is anxious about the things of the world, how he may please his wife, and he is divided. An unmarried woman or a virgin is anxious about the things of the Lord, so that she may be holy in both body and spirit. A married woman, on the other hand, is anxious about the things of the world, how she may please her husband. I am telling you this for your own benefit, not to impose a restraint upon you, but for the sake of propriety and adherence to the Lord without distraction.
      The Word of the Lord! Thanks be to God! Yes, Lord Yes. To Your Will and to Your Way. I will trust You and obey.

    • Face the Facts
      April 16, 2016

      Ecclesiastes 5:3-6 – When you make a vow to God, delay not its fulfillment. For God has no pleasure in fools; fulfill what you have vowed. You had better not make a vow than make it and not fulfill it. Let not your utterances make you guilty, and say not before, his representative, “It was a mistake,” lest God be angered by such words and destroy the works of your hands. Rather fear God!
      Matthew 19:11-12 – Not all can accept this word, but only those to whom that is granted. Some are incapable of marriage because they were born so, because they were made so by others; some, because they have renounced marriage for the sake of the Kingdom of Heaven. Whoever can accept this ought to accept it.
      Matthew 19:29 – The Rich Young Man – Everyone who has given up houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands for the sake of My Name will receive a hundred times more, and will inherit eternal life.

      The Life That The Lord Has Assigned

    • Face the Facts
      April 16, 2016

      Nicole, based on your comment:
      Life is an ongoing growing and learning process. We should embrace the opportunity. These days people question everything and have a personal opinion for everything which is not necessarily correct; likewise deciding what they assume should be and shouldn’t be, according to their feeling and opinion.
      I got the urge to share the above with you and also for the benefit of readers. I always say, everything we need to know and about how to live is contained in Holy Scripture and not merely the views of mortals which are not always accurate but based on their misinterpretation and rejection of certain Verses of H. Scriptures.
      God has one answer to those questions, doubts and denial.
      How many people are aware that there are three vocations, “the religious life, married life and single life?”
      According to God’s plan for each one of us, it evens out. It is enlightening and should be encouraging for each one of us, whatever our status.

  12. informative
    April 14, 2016

    Congratulations Cardinal Felix, may God bless you richly.

  13. Believer
    April 14, 2016

    We swell with pride Cardinal , at your distinguished service to the church, its apostolic mission, its people and our own country.

  14. Cyrique
    April 14, 2016

    Congratulations Fr Felix on your 60th Anniversary as a Catholic Priest. Both yourself & Fr Jolly were friends of my living parents. May God continue to bless you and continue to give you wisdom and strength to carry out his earthly work. You’re an inspiration !! God bless you and God bless DOMINICA

  15. Fr. Franklyn Cuffy,
    April 14, 2016

    This is “Religious Tourism” in action!
    Let us put out our best efforts to Welcome all the many visitors who will be visiting our shores to celebrate with Cardinal Kevin Felix and the Catholic Church here in Dominica.
    Pilgrims are coming from Trinidad, St Lucia, Antigua, Canada, Trinidad, Martinique among other places.
    And are expected to be hosted at the Fort Young Hotel, the Holy Redeemer Retreat House, Presbyteries, a number of private homes and one Gust at the State House.
    I pray that this event will bring much blessing to Dominica, the Land of the Lord. and will indeed be an inspiration for the birthing of Religious Tourism among us.

    • Face the Facts
      April 14, 2016

      I know some of them also from Trinidad, some of his favorite people. His brother and sisters who reside in Ontario will be present. Spoke to Helen, his sister prior to her departure.
      How sorry I am not able to attend. I will be present in spirit.
      When they return they will fill me in on the holy and grand celebration.
      God bless!

      • AAGabriel
        April 15, 2016

        Why didn’t you ask the master of the Red Clinic to give you some money. I am certain, in light of the BS you broadcast on here on a daily basis, he would not have denied you. Never mind, in a few years there will be elections again and I am sure you’ll receive a free ticket in exchange for placing your ‘X’ in the prescribed box.

    • Me
      April 15, 2016

      Ah Francis, religion is a business now is it? We guessed that already but glad you confirmed it. Maybe you can ask for miracle like Lourdes or Fatima. It is time for a poor black country like ours so we can start making some money too.

      • Face the Facts
        April 16, 2016

        Some of you can be too sarcastic as AAGabriel. D/ca has some awful people.
        They do not know people and know not their schedule or what they do but they make sarcastic remarks. Their words project their ignorance and wickedness. It satisfies them and makes them happy to be crude and rude.
        One day God will punish them for their words. Let them keep on throwing words as they heap God’s wrath upon them even while they live.
        It pays to be kind.
        God expects you to pray for your country.
        I need not continue to list the reasons why some people are poor and others are not. You must use your common sense if you have one.

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