First professor of Caribbean Theology and Ethics

Dr Anna Perkins has made history as the Caribbean region’s first professor of Caribbean Theology and Ethics, an appointment recognised by The University of the West Indies.

A Jamaican by birth, she currently serves as Senior Program Officer at the Quality Assurance Unit within the Office of the Board of Undergraduate Studies at the University’s regional headquarters.

In a recent interview with Altos, she shared her thoughts on this landmark achievement and the people who have shaped her journey.

When asked about her elevation to this distinguished position, Dr Perkins admitted she was still coming to terms with it. “Part of me is still trying to absorb it, that it has actually happened,” she said. “There’s a low-grade excitement and almost a sense of, ‘Did I do this? How did I get here?’”

She also expressed deep gratitude, acknowledging the many individuals who supported her along the way. “I recognise that all that I’m doing isn’t really about me, but I’m standing on many, many big shoulders that have got me to this point,” she reflected.

Dr Perkins credited several key figures in Caribbean theology who have significantly influenced her work. She highlighted (since deceased) Idris Hamid, often referred to as the father of Caribbean theology, and (deceased) Fr Michel de Verteuil CSSp, whose work on Lectio Divina within the Catholic Caribbean space has been pivotal. “His work is important because Caribbean theology isn’t just about abstract ideas—it’s about how ordinary people think through and relate to God.”

She also paid tribute to (deceased) Sr Theresa Lowe Ching RSM, a former lecturer and mentor at St Michael’s Theological College, Jamaica. “A lot of her work focuses on women and the woman’s voice in the theological and ecclesiastical space,” Dr Perkins explained. “She used a beautiful image of an encaved dragon, symbolising the power of women’s voices when they are finally unleashed.”

Additionally, she mentioned (deceased) Sr Diane Jagdeo OP’s contributions, particularly her focus on language and meaning in theology.

“One of the key things we have to understand about Caribbean theology is that it is deeply embedded in culture. The cultural helps give expression to the theological because the divine is rooted in our cultural expressions.”

Dr Perkins has made substantial contributions to the field through her academic writings. “My key monograph explores a Caribbean theory of justice, looking at the work of Michael Manley, Jamaica’s Prime Minister from the 1970s,” she explained. Her study surfaced a unique concept of justice, which she calls ‘justice as equality’—a multifaceted framework that seeks to ensure everyone’s worth is recognised.

Beyond this, she has authored and edited several volumes on ethics, including an exploration of dancehall artist Tanya Stephens’ work. “She is one of the most talented and critical voices in popular culture,” Dr Perkins noted. “What I love about her is her forthrightness in challenging the contradictions within the Church.”

Another significant collaborative work involved examining the pastoral letters of the Antilles Episcopal Conference. “Together with Jackie Porter and Fr Don Chambers, around 2012, we took a look at the work of the Antilles Episcopal Conference and their pastoral letters and statements. We recognised that justice was central to how the bishops were reaching out to their constituents—how they were engaging both brothers and sisters in the Church community as well as men and women of goodwill.”

Dr Perkins emphasised that this outward engagement is a hallmark of Catholic theological tradition. “That’s part of the beauty of our Catholic theological and pastoral tradition. We don’t tend to be navel-gazers in the sense that we only talk to ourselves. Instead, we actively reach out and engage in dialogue with people in different spaces—people of all faiths and even those of no faith—because we believe that divinity exists in all spaces and that there’s a meaningful conversation to be had about justice and peace in every realm.”

As Dr Perkins continues to contribute to the shaping of Caribbean theology, she remains deeply committed to engaging with diverse perspectives. The Altos team expressed their hope to welcome her to Trinidad and Tobago soon, to which she responded warmly: “It’s my favourite place in the Caribbean outside of Jamaica!”

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