Lest we forget – CTCT memories

The Conference on Theology in the Caribbean Today (CTCT) hosted an online conversation between one of its founders, Msgr Patrick ‘Paba’ Anthony of Castries and executive member, Dr Adanna James on April 20. As the CTCT prepares to host this year’s conference June 26–30 in Grenada, Msgr Anthony took viewers down memory lane.

Msgr Anthony shared that after the closure of the Caribbean Institute of Catechetics, Fr Michel de Verteuil CSSp and others began work on establishing an institute which catered to offer similar programs. This led to the creation of the Liturgy School.

During the 1980s, Msgr Anthony, then Fr Joseph Harris and Everard Johnston were studying in Chicago and they “took up the challenge of how” they could have begun to “take theology seriously in the Caribbean context.”

They brought Fr de Verteuil’s efforts on “the indigenisation of theology” to the attention of one of their professors and the conversation continued. Upon graduating, they returned to their respective countries, and made the decision to create a conference which reflected Caribbean issues from a theological perspective.

As Msgr Anthony reflected on his memories over the years, he expressed: “Our region has produced some beautiful minds and beautiful spirits, beautiful people who have really been in love with God and passionately in love with Caribbean people.” He referred to the legacies of departed CTCT members like: Fr de Verteuil, Fr Henry Charles, Peter Shaksjee and Sr Diane Jagdeo OP.

In response to Msgr Anthony’s sharing, Dr James commented: “Lest we forget what has gone into bringing this to be, the love for the laity, the coming together as one, the pastoral context, the searching, the fighting, the courage, the passion, the love, and of course the memories of persons who were dear to us.”

This year’s conference will be hosted virtually as well as in-person. The conference theme is: Breaking tides, Reshaping land: Living in a world shaped by the pandemic?

For more information on the upcoming conference, registration and much more visit their website – ctctoday.org or their Facebook page – https://www.facebook.com/CTCT1994.

–Ottrisha Carter