SOME people, mostly those under 40, find it hard to believe that Monsignor Richard Albert has been a missionary priest in Jamaica for the past 25 years.

“Really!” they respond, with raised eyebrows, when told.

Most older folk, though, remember when Albert arrived in Jamaica in 1976, a few weeks after being ordained a priest and a year after he received his Bachelor in Sacred Theology (they abbreviate it STB) from Catholic University.

At that time, political divisions were deepening in Jamaica, as the then Michael Manley-led People’s National Party government had, two years before, declared itself democratic socialist, while the Opposition Jamaica Labour Party, led by Edward Seaga, held firm to the principles of capitalism… Fertile ground for an outspoken Catholic priest who has strong views on politics and politicians.

For instance, he believes that Jamaica’s older politicians should step aside and allow younger legislators to lead the country. Let the youngsters make their mistakes, he feels.

“I would rather deal with the inexperience of the young than the corruption, false promises and tired solutions of the elderly,” he told Kingston Rotarians in 1997.

On Wednesday this week, he told the Observer that his view hadn’t changed, and supported the idea of term limits which, he said, would be helpful.

“I think there should be a healthy turnover of the political directorate,” Albert said. “We need new thinking. It is good to always bring in new blood.”

Monsignor Albert’s strong views on social and political issues have endeared him to many Jamaicans. But they have also earned him some amount of flak.

Probably his most memorable experience of both was in the 1980s when he met and spoke with the ‘most wanted man’ known to all Jamaica as “Sandokhan”. Albert, who was trying to get Sandokhan to surrender to the police, refused to tell the cops where the fugitive was hiding and what they spoke about. To do that, he said, would have meant his breaching a promise of confidentiality.

“I never regretted trying to bring in Sandokhan,” Albert said Wednesday. “I have always believed that as a priest I am here for the poor and marginalised. There’s good in everyone. It’s a disciple’s challenge to help these people.”

That is exactly what Monsignor Albert has been doing in Jamaica for the last quarter century — something, he said, that gives him great satisfaction and joy.

“I’ve enjoyed the challenge to be in solidarity with the poor,” he told the Observer. “I’ve enjoyed the opportunity to create communities of faith.”

He said that some of his most touching and satisfying moments are when one of his youngsters is employed or when one of his poor parishioners offers to share with him the little they have, be it food or money.

He spoke, too, of a man named George who has Hanson’s disease, is blind and cripple, but who praises God everyday. “It is the poor who have comforted me,” Albert said.

His commitment to helping the poor and disadvantaged is evident in the institutions he has founded — St Monica’s Home for persons with leprosy; St Patrick’s Foundation and Stella Maris Foundation.

St Patrick’s Foundation, based in the heart of Waterhouse, one of Kingston’s volatile inner-city communities, today operates five centres for the young and poor elderly. They are:

* St Patrick’s Human Resource Centre on Bay Farm Road, which offers educational programmes, a catering school and community outreach programmes;

* St Margaret’s Human Resource Centre on Henderson Avenue, which provides remedial education, a women’s centre for pregnant teens, a health clinic, computer training, woodwork and garment manufacturing and computer skills training;

* Christ The Saviour Human Resource Centre in Riverton City, and

* Callaloo Bed Outreach Centre, which both offer early childhood education, a health clinic, garment manufacturing and feeding programmes for the young and old; and

* Christ The Redeemer Human Resource Centre in Seaview Gardens where educational programmes, a woodwork shop, computer studies, garment manufacturing and community formation programmes are offered.

Over the years, these centres have equipped hundreds of youth with a skill, many of whom find employment in various sectors. “Island Grill just took 15 of our kids,” Albert told the Observer, the pride obvious in his voice.

These achievements, as well as his very active involvement in the Catholic Church will, no doubt, be highlighted at this evening’s thanksgiving Mass to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Albert’s life as a missionary priest in Jamaica.

The Mass, scheduled to begin at 6:00 pm at Stella Maris Church on Shortwood Road, where Albert now ministers, is expected to be attended by the Catholic Church’s most senior officials.

Following the service, Albert will relax with his colleagues and flock at a reception in the church hall. There, he may have a drink of whiskey or Crystal Light Iced Tea — his favourite, he said. Don’t be surprised, either, if you see him puffing on “a good cigar”. And when he heads for the buffet, he most certainly will fill his plate with Jamaican food — ackee and saltfish with fried dumplings most likely.

Monsignor Richard Albert Fact File

* Born in New York, USA, June 29, 1946.

* Entered the minor seminary of the Franciscan Friars of the Atonement in 1960. Received the New York State Regents Diploma and special award for leadership.

* Entered the novitiate of the Friars of the Atonement in 1964.

* Graduated from Catholic University with a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy.

* Served as the first student chaplain under Monsignor Ray Favret in a reorganised chaplaincy programme in Catholic University 1970-1975.

* Founded and was the first resident chaplain of The House, a residential and activity centre, in 1973.

* Received the STB from Catholic University.

* Ordained a priest in 1976, then came to Jamaica.

* First Catholic co-pastor of the Anglican/Roman Catholic Church of Reconciliation in Portmore, 1976-1982.

* Founded St Monica’s Home in 1982.

* Went on sabbatical in 1982.

* Joined the Archdiocese of Kingston as a Diocesan priest in 1983 and made pastor of St Patrick’s Church.

* Treasurer of the National Prayer Breakfast Committee for 10 years.

* Editor of Catholic Opinion and communication officer for the Archdiocese of Kingston, 1983-1997.

* Member of the Archdiocesan Education Board, 1983-1997.

* Archdiocesan director for the Society for the Propagation of the Faith, 1983-1999.

* Chairman of the Archbishop’s annual charity drive, 1984-present.

* President of the Jamaica Catholic Education Association, 1985-1987.

* Transferred from St Patrick’s to Stella Maris in 1996.

* Work featured on CBS’ 60 Minutes, May 2000.

Awards

1985 — Certificate of Appreciation from the Police Academy.

1990 — Presidential citation from Alpha Delta Gamma National Fraternity.

1990 — Capital City Alumni Chapter anniversary achievement.

1990 — Achievement in the field of pastoral service from the alumni association of Catholic University.

1992 — Boss of the Year from Jamaica Professional Secretaries Association.

1995 — Gleaner Company Merit Award.

1998 — Jamaica Chamber of Commerce award for contribution to Jamaica.