Former Bishop of Dominica Edward Gilbert dies

Former Bishop of Dominica Edward Gilbert has died. A Roseau Diocese press release confirmed that the Most Reverend Edward J. Gilbert, CSsR, JCD, passed away in the early hours of Oct. 16, 2025, coinciding with the Feast of St. Gerard Majella, at St. Alphonsus Villa in New Smyrna Beach, Florida.

The facility is managed and owned by the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer.

Born on Dec. 26, 1936, in Brooklyn, New York, the statement said Archbishop Gilbert dedicated his life to the service of the Church. He entered the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer (Redemptorists) and took his vows on Aug. 2, 1959. His theological studies took place at St. Mary’s College Seminary in North East, Pennsylvania, and Mount St. Alphonsus Seminary in Esopus, New York. He was ordained a priest on June 21, 1964, and subsequently earned a Doctor of Canon Law degree from The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C.

The release said his early ministry included parish work in Brooklyn from 1968 to 1969. In 1970, he joined the faculty at Mount St. Alphonsus Seminary, where he served until 1984. During this period, he held multiple roles, including professor of canon law for 14 years, academic dean for six years, and seminary rector for another six. In 1984, he was elected provincial superior of the Baltimore Province, a leadership position he held until his appointment as a bishop.

On July 1, 1994, he was nominated as the Bishop of Roseau and was consecrated on Sept. 7, 1994. He was the first bishop to be ordained at Our Lady of Fair Haven Cathedral in Roseau. Later, he was nominated as the Archbishop of Port of Spain on March 13, 2001, and installed as the ninth archbishop of Port of Spain on May 5, 2001. He served in this capacity until his resignation on Dec. 26, 2011. His episcopal leadership followed that of Bishop Arnold Bogeart, who served as Bishop of Roseau from 1957 to 1993.

During his tenure as the eighth Bishop of Roseau, Gilbert initiated the diocese’s first-ever Diocesan Synod. The process involved clergy, religious, and laity from across the island, aiming to reflect on and energize various aspects of church life, fostering renewal and strengthening the diocese’s mission and evangelization efforts.

“As a canonist, he was able to restructure the diocese, as a catechist he taught with clarity, delivering many memorable homilies and sermons and as a Christian he worked to build the Kingdom together with us all. He will be fondly remembered by many Catholics and Dominicans alike,” the statement said.