Maurice Rigobert Marie-Sainte
Maurice Rigobert Marie-Sainte, (January 4, 1928 – August 27, 2017), born in Fort-de-France, was a Martinican Roman Catholic prelate, who was the Archbishop of Fort-de-France and Saint-Pierre from 1972 to 2004. Early life. Monsignor Marie-sainte, was born Maurice Rigobert Marie-sainte, a native of Fort-de-France, Martinique on January 4, 1928. Maurice was the second child of a family of 7 including 5 brothers and two sisters. Life Path. On December 21, 1955, Maurice was ordained a priest. On October 12, 1969, he was ordained bishop by Monsignor Henri  Varin de la Brunelière. He succeeded Monsignor Henri Varin de la Brunelière as Archbishop Emeritus of Fort-de-France and Saint-Pierre. Being the youngest in Martinique to become archbishop in his diocese of origin at 41, he was also the first black person in France and all of French dependencies around the world in this position. His successor was Monsignor Michel Méranville who replaced him upon his retirement in 2004. Death. Monsignor Marie-sainte peacefully passed away one Sunday morning August 27, 2017 aged 89 in Sainte-Anne, Martinique (France).