Guyana celebrates
as Marlon is ordained

The Diocese of Georgetown in Guyana is celebrating the ordination of its first native Guyanese priest in 15 years.  Jesuit Marlon Innis was ordained to the priesthood on 14 August in Brickdam Cathedral.  Two bishops and 16 priests including the Provincial of the British Jesuits took part and the congregation, from parishes in the city and country, joined in what was described as a most moving and joyful celebration.

Marlon is the grandson of Winifred Innis, one of the first Parish Lay Assistants in the North West of Guyana.  It was through her that he not only became a Catholic but from a very young age was also very involved in various church activities in Hosororo and Mabaruma.  In 1994 he was accepted into the Jesuit novitiate in Georgetown and two years later in 1996 he took his first vows.  After this he pursued further studies and worked in various ministries in Guyana, Jamaica, the Philippines, London, and Boston, USA.  He was ordained deacon in May 2009.

Jesuit superior Fr Dermot Preston SJ testified before Bishop Francis Alleyne on the worthiness of Marlon Innis to be ordained priest.  He spoke about the academic studies and spiritual formation the priest to be had successfully undertaken.  Fr Preston also described him as someone who has warm approachability and is welcoming to all whatever race, creed or colour. 'To his colleagues he is seen as a man of perseverance, patience and strength.  He has a deep sympathy for the forgotten and voiceless', Fr Preston added.

Bishop Francis Alleyne in his ordination homily recounted the new, distinctive powers and responsibilities Marlon was about to receive as a priest adding that he was beginning a very special journey.  He is to have a deep love for scripture. 'Hear the word of God and give it expression in your life.  May this be a true mark of your vocation and priesthood,' Bishop Francis said.  He also encouraged the new priest to 'Discover the best expression of what makes you who you are and bring this to your vocation as a priest.' The bishop strongly urged that the young priest should be 'faithful to the essentials of the priesthood,' and reminded him that shrines and dreams were not the things on which the Church was built.

The central part of the rite of ordination came when the bishop laid his hands on Marlon, followed by Bishop Benedict Singh and all of the priests present.  This was followed by Bishop Francis offering the prayer of consecration invoking the power of the Holy Spirit on the one being ordained.

After this came what was perhaps the most touching part of the ceremony as the newly ordained priest descended to the bottom of the altar steps where his grandmother very caringly and carefully put on him the stole and chasuble of the Ministerial Priesthood.  As she tenderly embraced him the congregation expressed their approval and appreciation with loud, prolonged applause.

There was a very notable and delightful Guyanese and Caribbean touch to the celebration.  Those conducting the service processed in to the Amerindian song Nita Mwimbiya Bwana.  Much of the other music used in the Mass was written by Guyanese Gary Sankar, Erick Walker, Michael Abrams and Paschal Jordan.  Assistant Police Commissioner Cecil Bovell conducted the joint choirs of the Cathedral and members of the police steel band providing the music that accompanied the event.

At the end of the ordination Fr Marlon Innis joined everyone on the grounds of Brickdam presbytery.  The next day, Sunday August 15, he presided at his first Mass at the Our Lady of Fatima Church.  Fr Innis has been appointed to join the team of priests working in the Pastoral Area.

Note: Guyana is a Region of the British Province of the Society of Jesus.


 Guyana Jesuits