Engaging the pressing concerns of the Caribbean Church

Q: Archbishop J, what are some highlights from the AEC Bishops meeting?

The recent meeting of the Antilles Commission of Bishops (AEC) in Jamaica was a spiritually rich and pastorally fruitful encounter. It was a week shaped by prayer, fraternal communion, and deep listening; hallmarks of a Church committed to the synodal path.

A Eucharistic beginning

We began with a wonderful celebration of Mass, in communion with the faithful of the Archdiocese of Kingston. Bishop Kendrick Forbes of Roseau preached a stirring homily, calling us to deeper discipleship. His words resonated with our hearts and set the tone for the days ahead.

The President’s address, published in last week’s Catholic News, framed our meeting within the gaze of the Resurrection. In a world marked by profound challenge and change, it reminded us that the Risen Christ remains our lens, our compass, and our hope.

We were nourished by the spiritual formation led by Fr Peter McIsaac SJ, who reflected on leadership in a synodal Church. His teaching on discernment: how to distinguish between consolation and desolation, and to recognise the difference between desolation and spiritual darkness, equipped us with essential tools for our shared journey. Synodality is not a programme; it is a way of being Church.

From discernment to communion

Our method of ‘Conversation in the Spirit’ brought to life the grace of communion. Through deep listening and shared silence, the Holy Spirit opened pathways of unity and mutual understanding. From this space of discernment, we were able to move forward with two key documents:

1. A Pastoral Letter on Natural Disasters, offering theological grounding and practical guidance for our region.
2. A Pastoral Reflection on Family and Gender Ideology, providing a Catholic vision and vocabulary to respond to contemporary questions with clarity and compassion.

These will soon be available to the faithful and will serve as valuable resources across our dioceses.

The daily rhythm of grace

At the heart of our meeting was the rhythm of common prayer. Morning and evening prayer, along with the celebration of the Eucharist, grounded our work and deepened our fraternity. As in the Acts of the Apostles, we experienced the Church as “of one heart and one mind” (Acts 4:32).

This communion extended to table fellowship. Meals were moments of joy, laughter, and honest sharing, where friendship deepened, and pastoral insight flowed freely.

Two celebrations stood out. First, the official reception hosted by the Kingston Archdiocese offered an evening of Caribbean hospitality, music, and shared mission. Second, an informal gathering in a family home, after the official programme ended, provided space to relax and rejoice together in the joy of the Gospel.

Deep listening: the Tuesday panel

One of the more meaningful moments of the week was a synodal listening session on Tuesday evening with a Kingston panel:

• Moderator: Grace Baston
• Laywoman: Professor Anna Perkins
• Religious: Sr Maxine McIntosh
• Deacon: Rev David Chambers
• Priest: Fr Richard Brown

The panel addressed a single, vital question:

“From your perspective—lay person, deacon, religious, and priest—what concerns should the bishops of the Caribbean prioritise?”

For once, we bishops remained silent. We listened. And what we heard was compelling. Despite preparing their reflections independently, the panel shared a remarkable convergence on four key themes: youth engagement, vocation, digital media and ongoing formation—all this through a synodal approach to Church life. Let us look briefly at each.

Youth engagement

This emerged as the most urgent concern. Today, many young people disengage from the Church earlier than before. Previously, they left as young adults but often returned for marriage or the baptism of children. Now, many leave emotionally and spiritually at a much younger age.

One critical reason is the unresolved narrative between science and faith. If science is seen as the sole source of truth, then faith and scripture are dismissed as fiction. We must help our youth see that science and theology are not enemies but rather companions in the pursuit of truth. Without God, even the Big Bang becomes unintelligible.

Moreover, too often we treat youth as movers of chairs, rather than as agents of mission. This generation has lived through an extraordinary digital revolution: from the iPhone in 2006 to the emergence of artificial intelligence in 2023. They want to make an impact.

The bishops have planned a 10-day regional formation experience for youth leaders in Jamaica, July 2025. But every level of the Church—parish, diocese, and conference—must urgently prioritise handing on a living faith to this generation. And this must happen in dialogue with them, not apart from them.

Vocation as a way of life

Vocation is not only about priesthood or Religious life. It is the call of every baptised person. The panel affirmed this broader vision, one that the bishops also articulate in Towards a Framework of Integrated Pastoral Life, where vocation is described as the engine of discipleship.

Vocation can be seen in five dimensions:

1. Personal – God’s unique call from the womb (Jeremiah 1:5).
2. Charism/Gift – The Spirit’s gift for building the Body (Ephesians 4).
3. Life/Profession – State of life and work as mission.
4. Conscience – The voice of God within.
5. Development – Integral human development as vocation (Paul VI).

This holistic understanding unifies every part of our pastoral life. It is the golden thread running through our Christian journey.

Digital media

Digital media is no longer optional—it is the new public square. Professor Perkins noted: “Digital media has become an undeniable force shaping communication, information consumption, and the formation of communities. It presents both a great opportunity and a significant challenge.”

The bishops’ 2017 pastoral letter, New Ways of Being Church in a Digital Milieu, examines the cultural shifts brought by digital technology and offers tools for diocesan and parish communication planning. Communications is not a department; it is the glue of pastoral ministry.

Ongoing formation

Formation emerged as another major priority. Whether in climate care, Catholic social teaching, or confronting rising crime, ongoing adult formation is vital for Christian maturity.

The bishops have already issued several pastoral letters and statements on these topics. But as our panel reminded us, formation is not a one-time event. It is a lifelong process of discipleship.

A Listening Church

Perhaps the deepest fruit of the panel session was a renewed sense of synodality. Listening—real listening—is transformative. It reminded us that as a Conference, we have been prayerfully reflecting and teaching on the very concerns raised by the faithful.

Let us continue, together, to build a synodal Church, one rooted in prayer, moved by the Spirit, and open to every voice God is using to renew His Church in the Caribbean.

Key Message:

Your bishops are listening: to the Holy Spirit, to each other, and to you. We are committed to engaging the pressing concerns of the Caribbean Church with discernment and hope.

Action Step:

Visit the AEC website and explore the ‘Pastoral Letters’ section. Read one of the documents. See how your bishops are reflecting on the needs of our time—and how you are called to walk with us.

Scripture Reading:

Acts 2:42