BIOGRAPHY
BISHOP JOSEPH OLIVER BOWERS,
Joseph Oliver Bowers, SVD, was born on 28th March, 1910 in Hampstead, Dominica, to Sherif Montague Bowers (Originally from Antigua) and his wife Mary. He was educated at the Dominica Grammar School, Before traveling to the United State to attend St. Augustine Seminary in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi.
He was ordained on 22nd January, 1936, and continued as a Priest in the Society of the Divine Word from 1939 to 1952. He was then appointed auxiliary Bishop of Accra, Ghana, and Titular Bishop of Cyparissia.
Bishop Bowers was appointed Bishop of Accra on the 8th January, 1953, and received his Episcopal Consecration on 22nd April, 1953, from Cardinal Spellman at the at the Church of Our Lady of the Guff in Bay St. Louise, United States, becoming the first black bishop consecrated in the United States.
In 1957 Bishop Bowers founded the congregation of the Sisters of the Handmaids of the Divine Redeemer (HDR) in Accra, which was dedicated to caring and comforting the poor. He was also the founder of St. John's Seminary and College, now known as Pope John Seminary, Effiduase - Koforidua.
In recognition and acknowledgment of his work in Ghana, when the Diocese of St. John's - Basseterre in the West Indies was created in 1971 - comprising the Islands of Antigua-Barbuda, St. Kitts and British Virgin Island , Bishop Bowers was appointed its first bishop on 6th January, 1971, becoming the chief pastor in Antigua.
On the 17th of July, 1981, he retired from church office and after some years spent in Charles town. Nevis, returned to Dominica, where he lived in Mahaut, in the care of his sister, Blossom Ann Reid. In the 1990s, the HDR Sisters some of who had periodically visited him in Dominica, invited him back to Ghana, where cared for him in the town of Agomanya. At the celebration of his 100th Birthday, the president of Dominica, Nicholas Liverpool was a guest.
At the time of his death on 5th November, 2012, at Agomanya, aged 102, Bishop Oliver Bowers was the second oldest Roman Cholic Bishop in History, and the oldest from the Caribbean. He was buried at the Holy Spirit Cathedral, Accra, Ghana.
Happy Clients
What Our Patients Are Saying
The care I received at St. Martin de Porres was outstanding. The medical team was professional, compassionate, and attentive from start to finish. I felt truly cared for during my entire stay.
Black Arabian
I appreciate the hospital’s cleanliness and the respectful treatment I received. The nurses were always kind and made sure I understood my treatment, which made my recovery much easier
Morgan vibrant
All three of my children were born here. The hospital feels like a second home because of the warm, stress-free environment and the attentive care from the staff at every stage.
James Teye
What We Do!
Our Mission
To provide high quality healthcare in the most effective / efficient and innovative manner, specific to the communities we serve and at all times acknowledging the dignity of the patient
OUR OUTSTANDING SERVICES
Paediatric Healthcare
At St. Martin de Porres Catholic Hospital, our Paediatric Healthcare services are dedicated to providing compassionate, specialized care for infants, children, and adolescents. We focus on the unique health needs of children through expert diagnosis.
ECG services
At St. Martin De Porres Catholic Hospital, our ECG (Electrocardiogram) service is a quick, safe, and painless test that records the electrical activity of your heart.
TB/DOT services
At St. Martin de Porres Catholic Hospital, our TB/DOT services provide specialized care for patients with tuberculosis (TB) through Directly Observed Therapy (DOT).