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As the Caribbean braces for another hurricane season, the Antilles Episcopal Conference (AEC) has issued a stirring pastoral letter urging the region’s people to face the growing threat of natural disasters with “faith, solidarity, and hope”.
Titled In the Eye of the Hurricane: Living the Rhythm of Natural Disasters in the Caribbean with Faith, Solidarity, and Hope, the letter recognises the yearly challenges posed by hurricanes, floods, and other disasters—especially for the most vulnerable in society.
“…hurricanes, floods, and other natural disasters are not distant possibilities but annual realities which especially impact the poor and vulnerable,” the bishops write, reminding Caribbean Catholics that resilience begins with spiritual readiness and communal care.
Drawing from Scripture, Catholic Social Teaching, and the lived experience of Caribbean peoples, the letter calls for all Caribbean Catholics “to reject fear, deepen solidarity, and build a culture of preparedness rooted in faith.”
The pastoral letter challenges a culture shift from reactive to proactive preparedness—emphasising both practical action and spiritual grounding.
“We proclaim a God who journeys alongside us rather than above us,” the bishops write, urging the faithful to recognise Christ’s presence in everyday acts of compassion— “in neighbours helping neighbours, shelters providing refuge, and communities rebuilding together.”
The pastoral letter offers concrete guidance for households, parishes, schools, communities, dioceses and across the wider Caribbean to prepare for disasters—from forming local response teams and assembling emergency kits to caring for the elderly and supporting the work of Caritas Antilles and the AEC Disaster Fund.
The bishops also echo the message of Laudato Si’, Pope Francis’ encyclical on care for our common home, encouraging Catholics to embrace an ethic of ecological responsibility and solidarity with the vulnerable.
“With storms as our classroom,” the bishops write, “we are called to learn resilience, compassion, interdependence, and resourcefulness. Even in the eye of the hurricane, we hold on to hope—a hope that does not disappoint.”
A formal press launch of the pastoral letter will be hosted on Trinity TV, with the date to be announced. The AEC encourages Catholics and all people of goodwill across the Caribbean to tune in and participate in this vital regional conversation.
In recognition of the region’s linguistic diversity, French and Dutch translations of the pastoral letter will be made available to ensure full accessibility for all Caribbean communities.
The full text of In the Eye of the Hurricane, including detailed guidelines for preparedness and recovery, can be accessed on the AEC website: www.aecbishops.org
