THE first Guyanese-born Roman Catholic Bishop, Benedict Ganesh Singh passed away early Wednesday morning at the Balwant Singh Hospital, after a period of illness. He was 90 years old.

According to a statement from the Roman Catholic Diocese, he was admitted to the private hospital one week ago suffering from an unspecified illness. His funeral service will take place from Brickdam Cathedral on Monday, September 17, 2018 at 15:00hrs.

President David Granger extended heartfelt condolences at the passing of Bishop Singh, CCH. In a statement from the Ministry of the Presidency, the President extended heartfelt sympathy to the relatives and friends of Bishop Singh.

Commenting on his death, current Bishop Francis Alleyne said “I join with the church and the nation in giving God thanks for the life of Bishop Benedict Singh, who died on Wednesday 12th September, 2018 after a short illness. Fifteen years ago, I was appointed to succeed Bishop Singh as Bishop of Georgetown, to put on the mantle that he carried for 32 years. During my time in office, as I have come to better understand and gain insight into the events and circumstance in the Church and in Guyana over the period of his tenure, I have come to very much appreciate and admire the quiet and formidable strength and resolve of this churchman. This Son of the Soil has served Church and Nation nobly. May he rest in Peace. “

The late bishop was born on December 2, 1927 in Lusignan, East Coast Demerara. He was the son of Joseph Alexander and Matilda Amanda (Fredericks) Singh. His ordination to the priesthood took place in Rome on December 7, 1954.Later, he obtained his Doctorate in Sacred Theology from the Pontifical Propaganda College in Rome in 1957. His thesis was “The Theory of Relevation in Hindu Philosophy and Religion.”

He returned to serve the church in Guyana in December 1957, when his first appointment was to the Meadow Bank church. From 1958 for 10 years he was in charge of the long coastal strip from Malgre Tout on the West Bank of Demerara to the Essequibo Islands.
In 1968 he was named the first Guyanese-born Chancellor of the Diocese. In that capacity, he acted as vicar general and administered the diocese on several occasions during the absence of Bishop Guilly from the country. On February 18, 1971, Pope Paul VI appointed Father Benedict Singh to be the Auxillary Bishop of Georgetown.

On Sunday 18 April 1971, in Brickdam Cathedral which was filled to its utmost capacity, Benedict Singh was led to the altar to be made the first Guyanese Bishop of the Roman Catholic Church his titles being Titular Bishop of Arsenaria and Auxillary Bishop of Georgetown. On August 12th, 1972, he succeeded Bishop Guilly as Bishop of Georgetown, a position he held until his retirement on 10th November, 2003.

According to the Roman Catholic Diocese, Bishop Singh inherited leadership of the church in Guyana at a time when everything in it seemed to revolve around the clergy.” He however recognised the important role not only Guyanese clergy, but also of lay people in the work of spreading the good news of salvation,” the church said.

“To this end he was responsible for introduction of the Parish Lay Assistants (PLA) training programme very soon after he took over as bishop. This took place not only on the coastland, but also in the vast interior regions where lay people assumed more responsibility in the work of the church taking on tasks of instructing and organising the local communities, even in the management of parishes and specialist areas such as heading the diocesan office for youth and religious education,” the church noted. It was noted too that his tenure will also be most remembered for the courage and zeal he showed in the struggle for democracy, justice and peace in Guyana, during the country’s more turbulent years. Bishop Singh was the recipient Cacique Crown of Honour Government of Guyana in 1993.