That he was a servant leader served as the refrain for the tributes honouring the life, work, and ministry of Edgerton Clarke, archbishop emeritus of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Kingston, as its members, supported by the wider ecumenical community, bade him farewell.

Led by present Archbishop of Kingston Kenneth Richards, the faithful gathered in the Cathedral of the Most Holy Trinity on Monday, March 3 to participate in a Mass of Christian Burial con-celebrated by several brother bishops of the Caribbean and the Antilles Episcopal Conference.

The presentation of a white pall along with the placing of the sacretodal symbols of the cross, Bible, stole and chalice on the casket bearing his remains signalled the start of the liturgy being said in his honour.

The insignia of his national investiture in the Order of Distinction at the rank of Commander was also placed on his casket.

In the remembrance, offered by Rachael Mair-Boxill and Fr Donald Chambers, Clarke was hailed as a man of service, born in St James, but grew up in Highgate, St Mary. His journey to the priesthood and later the first bishop of the Diocese of Montego Bay, then archbishop, was chronicled for the way it impacted church and community life up to his retirement in 2004.

Clarke was eulogised for his unwavering commitment to the gospel, deep faith, and pastoral sensitivity. In reference to 1 Corinthians 9: 23, it was said in tribute that he became all things to all people, so that by all possible means he might save some.

“May your faith in God and love of Him never be shaken,” Archbishop Clarke was remembered as saying.

After the three-hour mass his remains were buried in the nearby Bishops’ Memorial Garden next to the cathedral on North Street.

Clarke died on February 13, one day before his 96th birthday.