Noted for being fearless when it came to witnessing in his role as the head of the Anglican Communion in Jamaica, Bishop deSouza would deliver sermons that often attracted criticism, even from his own flock.

Bishop deSouza received his early education at St Peter’s College and was ordained in 1958.

He served as leader of the Anglican Communion from 1979 to 2000. His role as Lord Bishop was preceded by service as parish priest in various areas of Jamaica, and then Suffragan Bishop of Montego Bay until he was elected to the Lord Bishop’s chair in which he served for 21 years.

In the tumultuous times of the 1970s, Bishop deSouza did not flinch from saying what he felt and his interpretation of the Scriptures. The criticism grew, but he continued boldly. In his Charge to the 130th Synod of the Church, he alluded to the response, which was accorded some of his utterances on social issues over the years of his incumbency.

“When I spoke about justice in my days of speaking justice, you know what I used to be called? What was it?” he asked a congregation at the St James Parish Church, Montego Bay. Then he proceeded to answer himself: “A communist”, he said. “It didn’t matter what they called me, because I know that justice is a Christian virtue, and as long as I’ve seen what you called me, that’s all right”.

Noted for his inter-denominational work at home and abroad, he was a member of the leadership of the World Conference of Churches and the Caribbean Conference of Churches.

Bishop deSouza is survived by his wife, Iona, one son, two daughters, and grandchildren.