Trinis have a very unique way of praising an individual to high heaven, and at the end of the accolades will always add a "BUT'' about that person. Since the passing of Archbishop Anthony Pantin, I have listened to every word spoken about this man who became the first local Archbishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese, and waited to hear when the first "BUT" would be forthcoming. To no avail. There have only been genuine showers of praise for Tony Pantin from every walk of life.
The Pantins came into my life when I was about ten years old. We lived at 94 Picton Street, they lived at 87 Woodford Street. The two back fences were adjacent to each other. I really cannot remember too much about Tony, who would have been one of the older brothers. It was as a journalist that I really came to know, love, respect and appreciate this most down-to-earth man. We met often at the various social functions, and I marvelled at how easy it was to communicate verbally with the Archbishop of the Diocese. In retrospect, I believe it was because he never for one moment lost his Trini accent. Psuedo English accents always seem to put those in leadership positions out of reach.
I always found it very easy to share my thoughts with him, even those on what, in my opinion, was wrong with the Roman Catholic Church, and that was because he never remonstrated or got angry like so many of the bigots. He would always try to cite the relevant Canon or church law which justified his church's thinking.
Just before his hospitalisation at St Clair Medical Centre in mid 1999, he mentioned that his 70th birthday would fall on August 27, and promised me an interview. Mere days after coming out of the hospital, the Archbishop agreed to the interview, during which he said that he had come to the conclusion since his illness that he would have to straighten up his regime. "From Monday to Friday I am up at 3 a.m. I say my prayers, pick up the first newspaper, and by 3.45 a.m. do a lot of my writing work, tape recording letters and so on. By 5.30 a.m. I open up the chapel for Mass." Added to which he travelled all over the Diocese saying Mass on Sundays, not to mention the confirmations in every parish.
During the interview, I mentioned that at two recent funerals, the officiating priests had informed non-practising Roman Catholics that they should not approach the altar to receive Holy Communion. How could they invite me into their house and then tell me I can't eat, was my question. The Archbishop did not downright disagree with me, but quietly pointed out this was the rule of the church, and although he might not have made such a statement, priests could do so if they wished.
In August 1997, I requested an audience with His Grace to discuss the Roman Catholic Church's marrying my first husband, a twice- divorced Anglican who in 1960 refused to sign the document agreeing to our children being brought up in the Roman Catholic faith because he did not hold with that method of teaching. For marrying outside the church I had been ex-communicated, and the same would happen to any Roman who attended my wedding, was the promise from the pulpit at St Patrick's Church in Newtown.
I was angry and upset that two Roman Catholic priests were now about to marry this man in a Roman Catholic Church. How could you allow that, I railed. While the Archbishop sympathised with my emotional hurt, he calmly pointed out that the Canon Laws did not prevent the marriage because he had never been married in their church before, but still promised to look into it. Needless to say, I did not see his point, and said so. However, that meeting never did interfere with the relationship which had already developed over the years. Archbishop Tony Pantin was never going to be a party to any sulking process.
One night at a function, the then Papal Nuncio asked about my religion, and as the Archbishop arrived, told him that they would have to do something about bringing me back to the church as he had found out that I had been baptised a Roman, was a practising Anglican, and went to services in the Christian Centre. The Archbishop smiled and said "Angela is alright, she knows what she is doing." How many Roman Catholic priests would have been this tolerant.
Another time he arrived in a new car, and when I teased him about the church's wealth, was quick to tell me that it had been a gift, and was very grateful for it as he certainly could not have afforded it. Never for one moment did he come over as if it were his right as head of the church to get such a gift.
Another night as the photographer went to get his picture, he insisted that one be taken of the two of us and asked to be sent a copy. I do not know if it was ever sent, but I did keep a copy.
The Archbishop always spoke lovingly about his "dear mother" and was very grieved when his younger brother passed away in the not too distant past. His family were very dear to his heart.
I have wondered constantly about yesterday's entombment below the Cathedral for this man who lived among the people. I read several articles about the crypts which he had closed to the public because of scorpions and water seepage. Would Tony Pantin have wanted to be placed amongst the scorpions, water and the remains of those so long gone.
I heard Sister Paul explain on the television that the Cathedral was the place where he had been happiest, and realised she had not read my last interview with him where he said: "From a personal point of view the nicest section of my life was from April 10, 1972 to May 29, 1977 when I made myself parish priest of the Laventille Shrine and took up residence there...I visited schools, brought communion to the sick in my famous Volkswagen PO 2010. That stays in my mind, I became very close to the people. I do not think there is any other period of such significance. I love human beings very much indeed and it pains me when human beings suffer."
Shouldn't such a man have been buried where the people could visit his grave. Why not near to the Laventille Shrine, which another visiting Bishop said was at the center of Archbishop Pantin's life, and not even a meeting of Bishops was allowed to be fixed on the day of devotions at the Shrine.
The Archbishop also spoke of retirement: "When the time comes for retirement I will be guided by my belief. It is better for people to ask why did you go rather than why don't you go." Tony Pantin's retirement was guided by God and the question being asked continuously is "why did he have to go so soon?"
Rest In Eternal Peace Gordon Anthony Pantin, and may perpetual light shine upon you. We will never ever forget this man of God and of the people.
I send deepest sympathy to the Pantin family of No 87 Woodford Street from the Days of 94 Picton Street, Newtown.