Most Rev. Gordon D. Bennett, SJ, appointed Bishop of Mandeville in Jamaica
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 Most Rev. Gordon D. Bennett, SJ, Auxiliary Bishop of
Baltimore, has been appointed Bishop of Mandeville in Jamaica by Pope John Paul
II and assumed charge of the diocese on September 24, 2004. The Diocese of
Mandeville is mostly rural. Social structures, such as health facilities,
running water and public transportation are not readily available. In the rural
areas public transportation is poor at any time, but on Sunday, it is
non-existent. It is not uncommon for the faithful to walk three or more miles
one way to Mass. Economically, Jamaica is the third poorest nation in the
Caribbean, and this poverty is particularly pervasive in the rural areas. The
1998 edition of World Outlook (by the highly respected Economic Intelligence
Unit) ranks Jamaica second to last (after Turkmenistan) in the entire world for
growth prospects. Estimates of unemployment or severe underemployment in the
diocese run as high as forty percent. Lack of work opportunity causes many young
people to leave the diocese. They migrate to the capital, Kingston or leave
Jamaica.
The three civil parishes comprising the
Diocese of Mandeville are not a tourist area. Bauxite mining is the main
industry. Small farming would be the second largest source of income,
consisting of vegetables, coffee, citrus fruits and spices. In addition,
there are several small factories producing clothing, hemp, breads,
canned foods or electrical equipment. The average worker, however, does
not earn enough to pay for the minimum essentials of daily life. Thus,
the average Sunday collection in most of the parishes is approximately
$US20 and in the small parishes only $US8.00.
Among the Bishop's concerns are providing
housing for the missionary priests and religious who are arriving,
building simple chapels for worship, and assisting the local Church
communities in establishing Catholic schools in the parishes. Presently,
only nine of the church communities have housing for the parish priests.
Seven parishes and numerous mission stations are without a residence.
Thus, the presence of the pastor is diminished when he must live
elsewhere, often miles away from the place where he ministers. It is
frequently impossible to find adequate rental housing, and the cost of
such is exorbitant. Presently, three rectories and two convents are
urgently needed.
Many of the simple one room church
structures are utilized as schools rooms during the week and serve
approximately 75 children, taught by two teachers. Small portable
dividers about 5' high separated the two groups. Children not only have
a difficult time getting to school, but once they arrive, the learning
environment is most unpleasant. Each Friday, school desks and chairs are
stacked against the wall as well as in the sacristy to prepare for the
Sunday Eucharist. This creates a most unprayerful site for those who
come to worship at the Sunday Liturgies. Monies are urgently needed to
provide three elementary schools.
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