Msgr. Constantine Ribeiro Caldas
PORTUGAL—Msgr. Constantine Ribeiro Caldas, founding pastor of Our Lady of Fatima Portuguese Parish in Bridgeport, died on December 21, 2015 in Portugal where he had retired.
Msgr. Caldas was born on January 13, 1926, in Lara Moncao, Portugal. He was prepared for the priesthood at Seminario de Braga, Portugal. His ordination to the priesthood took place in the Archdiocese of Braga on July 8, 1951.
He first ministered as a diocesan priest and pastor in the Diocese of Viano do Castelo. In April 1956 he came to Bridgeport to serve the Portuguese Catholics in this diocese at St. Augustine Parish. He was the founding administrator and pastor at Our Lady of Fatima Parish, Bridgeport, from 1961 until 1996 when he retired.
On November 26, 1984, Msgr. Caldas was incardinated into Diocese of Bridgeport. He was made Honorary Prelate of His Holiness, Pope John Paul II on July 14, 1988. Msgr. Caldas was the chaplain of the Building and Construction Anchor Club. He was also the diocesan advisor for the Portuguese Language Cursillo of Fairfield County
Much of his retirement was spent at Saint Joseph Manor, Trumbull. On July 30, 2015, he moved to Portugal to be near family.
A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on December 22 according to the wishes of family members in Portugal. Msgr. Caldas was buried in the family gravesite. A memorial Mass will be celebrated for him at Our Lady of Fatima Church on Saturday, December 26, at 10:30 am.
Monsignor is mourned by his extended family and his many former parishioners in the Bridgeport Portuguese community. He will be remembered for his pastoral care for immigrants.
Please pray for the repose of the soul of Msgr. Caldas and for the consolation of those who mourn his loss.
