In June, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Bridgetown will ordain its first ever Barbadian to the position of Bishop.  Not only first Barbadian but Combermerian!  We are proud to salute and offer heartiest congratulations to Rev. Neil Scantlebury, Bishop-Elect of Bridgetown. What a feat to accomplish in what seems like a short span of time and at the tender age of 55.

For this servant of God, it is an awesome privilege and responsibility, yet Rev. Neil has accepted this new role with humility and is ready, like Mary the Mother of Jesus, to go where God leads.  

While at Speightstown Boys’ School, his biggest desire was to attend Combermere School, a goal he achieved in 1979 after taking the Common Entrance Exam.  Rev. Neil remembers being ecstatic at the news that he would be following his older brothers Michael and Keith to Combermere and from his first day, it was nothing short of a great experience.

Not much for Languages or Art, Rev. Neil realised that his passion was for Mathematics and Sciences and attributes his academic success in this area to the keen insight of several teachers including Messrs. Browne, Walcott and Barrett, as well as Mrs. Larrier, Mrs. Pile and Ms. Browne.  While at Combermere, he made an attempt to join the boxing team. However, that was short-lived, and he devoted more time to football and cricket, representing the school on the cricket team as a spin bowler.

Life, however, is about growth and change. Once leaving these shores to attend UWI, St. Augustine Campus, in Trinidad, to pursue a degree in Mechanical Engineering, little did we know that Rev. Neil would return only for a brief period before heading off to the US Virgin Islands, where he would build a life for the next twenty-six years, first as a teacher of Mathematics and Religion, then as a priest of the Catholic Church. 

Rev. Neil recalls being active in church from childhood and serving in various ministries whilst at UWI. It was during this period that the sense of being called to the priesthood was strong, yet it would be as a priest at Sts. Peter and Paul Cathedral, St. Thomas, that he would make the decision to follow the call and his heart to enter the priesthood. He was accepted at Mount St Mary’s University, Emmitsburg, Maryland, USA.  After earning his Master’s in Divinity, he was ordained a priest for the Diocese of St. Thomas on May 18, 1995.  In 1999, he obtained the Master of Arts in Sacred Scripture at the same university. . 

During his 25 years as a priest, Rev. Neil served the Diocese of St. Thomas as Chancellor, Consultor, member of the Administrative Board of Catholic Charities, member of the Administrative Board for Child Protection, and member of the teaching faculty of Sts. Peter and Paul High School. 

Thinking on his days at Combermere, he fondly recalls classmates Col Grannum, Jeffrey Forde, Michael James, Lanell Herbert and Tracey Codrington, to name a few, and smiles in remembrance of good times shared.  He is thankful for the experience and the many friendships formed while at Combermere.

Having received the appointment from Pope Francis in Rome, Rev. Neil is happy to return home and looks forward to serving his Church, community and country in this new capacity.  As our brother, we wish him well on his journey and remind him to keep the flame burning brightly ever.  Up and On!