Leadership conference for RC youth ministry leaders in Jubilee Year

After further discussions with Diocesan youth ministry leaders of the region, the Antilles Episcopal Conference (AEC) Youth and Vocations Commission announced a “transformative” leadership conference for youth ministry leaders across the dioceses of the AEC region.

This conference, themed Pilgrims of Hope, Discipling the Now of God!, will take place July 18–26, 2025, in the Archdiocese of Kingston, Jamaica. This conference is hosted in collaboration with EQ SAINTS.

Each diocese is invited to send a priest and an inter-generational team that is “passionate” about youth ministry and willing to make a long-term commitment to serving their Church.

“This is an opportunity for dioceses to invest in their leaders, preparing them to shape the future of the Church with a spirit of hope, compassion, and service,” said Chairman, AEC Commission on Youth and Vocation, Archbishop Kenneth Richards of Kingston, in an October 8 release.

In it, he said the conference is “a bold step forward” as it is a one-time replacement for the traditional AEC Youth Assembly.

The 2025 AEC Leadership Conference will feature dynamic workshops focused on building comprehensive youth ministry, spiritual and leadership formation with experienced facilitators, opportunities to network with other diocesan leaders from across the AEC region and visits to local parishes and service activities.

The release said that in the Jubilee Year, the Conference is aimed at building the capacity of the diocesan youth commissions and teams to assist parishes in the implementation of comprehensive youth ministry in local parishes.

This new format, the release said, is a departure from the old but focuses on empowering diocesan youth leaders, building communion among regional leaders and developing actionable diocesan plans to present to their bishops for the synodal transformation of youth ministry.

“These leaders attending the conference will be expected to commit to taking active roles in guiding and forming the future of youth ministry in their dioceses, bringing new energy and commitment to evangelisation and discipleship,” the release said.

In line with the AEC’s commitment to building strong, faith-filled communities, this AEC Youth Ministry Leadership Conference will also focus on enhancing advocacy efforts with clergy and lay leaders, ensuring that the voice of the youth “is respected and integrated into the life of the Church.”

Participants will be trained and mentored to engage effectively with priests, bishops, and other Church leaders, promoting the growth and sustainability of youth ministry across the Caribbean.

More information about the conference, including registration details and preparation guidelines, will be shared in the coming months.