Building bridges between the Churches in T&T and Ghana

A chance encounter between two archbishops at the Synod on Synodality in Rome has opened the door to what could become a lasting relationship between the Catholic Churches of Ghana and Trinidad and Tobago.

Archbishop Charles Gabriel Palmer-Buckle of Cape Coast recently visited Trinidad for the first time, a visit made possible through his meeting with Archbishop Charles Jason Gordon in 2023. That meeting, he said, was more than a passing exchange—it was the beginning of a concrete partnership.

“First and foremost, let me say thank you to Archbishop Charles Jason Gordon,” Archbishop Palmer-Buckle said. “We met in 2023 at the Synod on Synodality. He representing his Church and I representing the Church of Ghana. And we talked to one another.”

During their conversation, Archbishop Gordon extended an invitation that would soon bear fruit. “He said, ‘Would you mind sending me some seminarians to train here and if they like it, in future, maybe some could stay.’ And I said, ‘Why not?’”

Today, two seminarians from Ghana are studying at the Seminary of St John Vianney and the Uganda Martyrs. Archbishop Palmer-Buckle said visiting them has been one of the highlights of his trip. “I’m here to see them. I’ve met them already twice and they are very much at home,” he said.

Building a new relationship

The Archbishop described his visit as a milestone moment, signalling the beginning of deeper ties between the two Churches.

“This is most probably the first time we are going to build an interpersonal relationship between the Church in Trinidad and Tobago and the Church in Ghana,” he said. “This is the first step and I’m ready to help develop a better bridge.”

His first impressions of Trinidad and Tobago reinforced his sense of connection. He noted similarities with his homeland while recognising the country’s unique cultural diversity.

“There is a lot of similarities with my country… Ghana,” he said. “But also I see a lot of change here because the people here are more mixed races and they seem to be at peace with one another.”

Africa’s growing missionary role

The partnership also reflects a broader shift in global Catholicism. While Africa was once primarily evangelised by European missionaries, it is now sending priests to serve the wider world.

Archbishop Palmer-Buckle credited the early missionaries, particularly those who arrived in Ghana in the late 19th century, with laying the foundation for the Church’s growth. Today, vocations are flourishing, and Ghanaian clergy are serving internationally.

“I have some in Germany, I have some in Italy, I have some in the UK… and I have some… in the Caribbean and in the United States of America,” he said, noting that about 40 priests from his Archdiocese alone are serving abroad.

He described this missionary movement as a natural response to the faith first brought to Africa. “We are returning gifts to them from what we received.”

At the heart of this growth, he said, is a deeply rooted religious culture. “One colonialist observed that the African is incurably religious. And that is one important foundation. The African is incurably religious,” he said.

In Ghana, Christians make up approximately 71 per cent of the population.

Faith shaping society

The Archbishop emphasised that the Church’s strength in Africa is not measured solely by numbers, but by its engagement in society.

“The Catholic Church in Africa has been in the lead of fighting for social justice, economic justice, for political development, for the emancipation of women, for helping the underdog and everything,” he said.

Through structures such as Caritas and diocesan Justice and Peace Commissions, the Church promotes human dignity and social transformation. Young Catholics, in particular, are encouraged to see their faith as a call to leadership.

“We groom young men and young women to know that working for justice, working for peace, working for economic development, working for emancipation is part and parcel of Christianity,” he said.

This formation extends beyond Church life into national leadership. “Being a Christian, you have a duty to help make the world a better place,” he added.

A shared future

Archbishop Palmer-Buckle sees his meeting with Archbishop Gordon as the beginning of a mutually enriching relationship—one that could strengthen priestly formation, deepen spiritual exchange, and foster collaboration between Africa and the Caribbean.

At 75, he remains committed to building these connections in the years ahead.

“I hope the last few years that I have in active work, I’ll be able to really fulfil that,” he said.

His visit represents more than a personal journey. It signals a growing partnership between two Churches linked by history, faith, and a shared mission—one that reflects the increasingly global and interconnected nature of Catholicism in the modern world.

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