Wednesday July 30th: High stakes
July 30, 2025
Caribbean bishops issue pastoral letter on natural disasters
July 30, 2025
The celebration of Emancipation Day on August 1 should have had faithful reflect deeply on the meaning of freedom—a freedom that is not simply the removal of chains but a continuous journey toward fullness of life, dignity, and hope. Emancipation is a resurrection of sorts. Both remind us that true freedom is born from darkness into new life.
Resurrection does not emerge out of nowhere. It is the fruit of steadfast faith and courageous commitment to rise from the tombs of injustice, despair, and brokenness that surround us.
It is a gradual rising that happens when communities and individuals refuse to surrender to fear or despair, when they act with love and justice, and when they place their trust in God’s abiding grace.
Pope Leo XIII beautifully captured this truth when he urged the faithful to “constantly fix our eyes on the prize of eternal life, and so strive with courage and perseverance” (Rerum Novarum, 1891).
This call to persevere and hope resonates powerfully today, especially as we live in a pivotal year for faith and growth—a year inviting us to become pilgrims of hope, journeying steadily amid trials.
Here in Trinidad and Tobago, and around the world, we face many threats to true freedom: environmental destruction, social unrest and violence fracturing communities, and economic and social inequalities marginalising the vulnerable. These challenges can easily overwhelm us, making the promise of new life seem distant.
Yet, signs of resurrection break through the darkness through persistent, hopeful action. For example, on Sunday, July 20, 2025, volunteers and the non-governmental organisation Fishermen and Friends of the Sea (FFOS), led by Gary Aboud, undertook a beach cleanup at Las Cuevas Beach to remove sargassum seaweed buildup.
Their dedicated work allowed baby turtles, hidden beneath the sand, to emerge safely and find their way to the sea—a tangible symbol of new life brought forth through patient and loving care.
Aboud’s tireless advocacy for the environment, often met with resistance, exemplifies how perseverance rooted in faith can nurture resurrection in our world.
Similarly, youth mentorship and restorative justice programmes can provide pathways out of violence; other environmental restoration projects can heal damaged ecosystems; and peacebuilding efforts can foster reconciliation and community healing.
Resurrection is not a one-time miracle but a daily commitment to building God’s Kingdom on Earth.
The Catholic Church, inspired by the Gospel and Catholic Social Teaching, calls all believers to join in this mission of transformation. The Church advocates for justice, protects the dignity of the poor and marginalised, and promotes stewardship of creation. It invites us to live as active participants in God’s work of resurrection—standing up for life, peace, and love.
As Emancipation Day was commemorated with parades and pride, may we be encouraged to rise—whether from personal struggles, societal injustices, or environmental threats—with courage and hope as proud Catholics.
In the words of Pope Leo XIII, we are called to “strive with courage and perseverance,” fixing our eyes not only on eternal life but on the concrete work of justice, mercy, and stewardship in the present moment.
