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Father Robert Blanchard had been living in peace on Saint-Barthélemy since his retirement. The news of his death, on Monday August 25 at the age of 85, sent shockwaves through the island's Catholic community and much of the local population.
Robert Blanchard was born on September 29, 1939 in Saint-Barthélemy. When he was ordained a diocesan priest on August 21, 1966, he joined an already long line of priests on the island, as Arlette Magras recalls in an online publication by Domaine Félicité. Father Robert Blanchard was preceded by Father Joseph Dinzey (an Anglican priest born in Saint-Barth in 1836, ordained in Saint-Kitts in 1858, died in 1919 in Norwell, USA), Father Claude Magras (Spiritan priest born in born in 1900, died in 1938), Father René Danet (diocesan priest, born in 1932, died in 2017), before being imitated by Father Albert Blais (born in 1932, died in 2017).Albert Blanchard, a diocesan priest born in 1948, ordained in 1975 and still practicing in Guadeloupe. On Thursday August 28, he celebrated fifty years of priesthood in the church of Lorient.
"Particularly appreciated in the diocese
The announcement of Father Robert Blanchard's death was marked by numerous messages of condolence, particularly online, commenting on various publications. Yesterday, Wednesday August 27, the Diocese of Guadeloupe issued a lengthy statement recalling that Father Robert Blanchard had returned to Rome (Italy) after his ordination to pursue his doctorate in theology and biblical scripture.
On his return to Guadeloupe, he began his ministry in Basse-Terre, where he was curate for 18 years and chaplain to the local high schools. He then served as parish priest in Le Lamentin, Baie-Mahault and Cadet Sainte-Rose. He ended his active priesthood ten years ago and retired to Saint-Barthélemy. "Very attached to our Creole language, Father Robert Blanchard was particularly appreciated in the diocese for his charisma, his rigor and his ability to express himself.se for his charisma, his rigor, his deep sense of exegesis and his involvement with church movements", the press release states.
A man of faith, humility and humour
The President of the Collectivité territoriale, Xavier Lédée, was one of the first to comment. He wrote: "It was with great emotion that I learned of the departure of Father Robert Blanchard (...) A man of faith, humility and service, he accompanied many of the faithful with simplicity and devotion. His presence had a profound impact on all those who crossed his path. On my own behalf and on behalf of the Collectivité, I send my most sincere thoughts to his family and to the parish community. I also have a special thought for his nephew, David Blanchard, an elected member of the Conseil territorial, to whom I express all my support in this ordeal. Today, we remember him as a man who put his life at the service of others, and whose example will continue to inspire whole generations, in Saint-Barthélemy and elsewhere. Nor will we forget the passion he had for bringing our culture to life by participating in numerous plays that showed another facet of his personality: his humor. "
Senator Micheline Jacques was also moved by Father Blanchard's passing. "He leaves a huge void behind him, not only for the parishioners of Saint-Barthélemy, but for the island as a whole. I join in this collective mourning with my thoughts and prayers. As a man of faith and of the church, he believed in eternal life, on whose path he lived so that this promise would be open to him. I remember his kindness and humour. My saddened thoughts are with those who miss him, especially his family, Monsignor Guiougou and the diocesan community. "
Other, more personal, testimonials accompanied the news of Father Robert Blanchard's death. For example, Moréna Gréaux wrote online: "I remember him from October 26, 1974, when he married us. "President of the Fédération des anciens combattants de Saint-Barthélemy, Philippe Laduré assures us: "He was a man I appreciated enormously...I am very saddened by his passing and I join in the grief of his family and friends...Adieu mon Père! "
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Vigil on Saturday, mass on Sunday
A wake will be held at the Saint-Jean funeral home on Saturday August 30, starting at 7 pm.
On Sunday August 31, at 4 p.m. in the Church of Notre-Dame de l'Assomption in Gustavia, the Bishop of Guadeloupe, Monsignor Philippe Guiougou, will preside over the funeral mass for Father Robert Blanchard.
The deceased will be buried close to this place of worship, according to a press release from the Diocese of Guadeloupe.
