An important anniversary of our Diocese passed quietly last month. It was the Inauguration of the Diocese of Georgetown and the installation of the first Bishop of Georgetown.
Sunday July 22nd 1956 saw the inauguration of the “Diocese of Georgetown” at the Cathedral on Brickdam. The ceremony was attended by the Governor of British Guiana, Sir Patrick Renison and lady Renison. The huge congregation of Catholics from all over the country including Priests and Nuns, gathered to hear the Diocese proclaimed by “Papal Bull” and to witness the solemn enthronement of His Lordship Bishop Guilly as its first Bishop.
After a long procession from the Sacristy, the Service began with the hymn to the Holy Spirit followed by the reading of the Papal Bull to inaugurate the Diocese.
Fr. Robert Chadwick SJ as Chancellor of the Diocese then handed the document to Fr. Sydney Boase SJ who read first in Latin then English. The words of Pope Pius XII were heard advancing “the Vicariate Apostolic of British Guiana to the dignity of a Diocese, to be called in future that of Georgetown”.
Next was read a letter from Archbishop Raimondi, the Papal Delegate to the West Indies, and giving effect to the provisions of the Papal Bull. This was followed with Bishop Guilly who took the oath of Fidelity to to the Holy Father and to the Holy See before taking possession of his Diocese. After presenting him with the Crozier Bishop Guilly was escorted by Fr. Peter Mc Caffrey SJ and Bishop George Weld to the Bishop’s Throne (Cathedra) on the north side of the Sanctuary. The allegiance of the clergy then followed. Bishop Guilly then addressed the congregation for the first time as Bishop of Georgetown.
The ceremony closed with solemn Benediction after which Bishop Guilly consecrated the Diocese to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
