Father Clement Jolly, C.Ss.R., dies at 85

Father Clement Jolly died December 16 in Morne Daniel, Dominica after a prolonged illness.

He was born on November 13, 1932 in St. Joseph, Dominica, and later emigrated to the United States. He was professed on December 31, 1956, and ordained a priest on February 22, 1962.

In 1970 he began studying dogmatic theology at the University of Rome and later earned his licentiate in systematic theology from the Université catholique de Louvain in Belgium. Father Jolly wrote more than 20 books on the social life and the church in Dominica and was a regular newspaper columnist.

In 1993 he received the Meritorious Service Award, Dominica’s second highest award, and later the Golden Drum Award. He served in many parishes on the island.

Father Rodney Olive, C.Ss.R., superior of the Holy Redeemer Retreat House, described Father Jolly as a great benefactor of the poor and a leading voice for social justice, calling him a “prophetic voice who proclaimed the good news of Jesus Christ.”