BELIZE CITY, Mon. May 15, 2017–On Saturday, hundreds of Roman Catholic faithful made their way to the St. John’s College gymnasium in Belize City to witness the ordination of Bishop Elect, Father Lawrence Sydney Nicasio, the new Bishop of Belize City and Belmopan.
Nicasio, the third native Bishop, succeeds Bishop Emeritus Dorick Wright, who formally resigned in January.
Nicasio was born in Dangriga on September 5, 1956. Our research of his education background revealed that he graduated from the Belize Teachers’ College, where he received certification as a teacher.
Thereafter he completed his undergraduate studies in philosophy at the Glennon Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri.
He went on to complete his postgraduate studies and received a Master of Divinity at the Kenrich College Seminary, also in St. Louis, Missouri.
In 1988 he was ordained a deacon in Dangriga and one year later he was ordained to the priesthood.
In the following years he would serve as an associate pastor at the Lady of Guadalupe Co-Cathedral in Belmopan as well as an associate pastor and pastor of the Inmaculada parish in Orange Walk.
He would also serve as a pastor at St. John Vianney and St. Ignatius Church. Currently he remains the pastor of the Holy Redeemer Cathedral in Belize City.
The three-hour ceremony held on Saturday saw the turnout of hundreds, including Roman Catholic officials from the Caribbean and the United States.
Leaders of government and Opposition representatives were also in attendance. The Garifuna community also turned out in huge numbers.
In his first address as Bishop, Nicasio said, “The Lord God has brought us together to be a part of this celebration. It has been a long time waiting.
Since December I was notified and now this is May. Good things come to those who wait. I would like to offer thanks to our God and especially this day as we celebrate our Lady of Fatima. Her feast day is today.”
He added, “I want to give thanks to the Holy Father who selected me to be the Bishop of this diocese. I want to give thanks to Bishop [Dorick] Wright, Bishop [Christopher] Glancy for working along with me. They did a lot of work with me in preparation.”
Nicasio went on to thank his family, friends and everyone who came out in support on Saturday.
He ended his address, “As Bishop it’s a tough job, but the church is alive when you give life to this church and so I cannot do it alone and so if we are going to be a church that is alive you must do your part.”