Come to the Caribbean – AEC invites Pope during papal audience

The bishops of the Antilles Episcopal Conference (AEC) have expressed strong support for Pope Leo XIV while outlining key challenges facing the Church in the Caribbean and formally inviting him to visit the region.

Addressing the Pope at an April 30 audience during their ad limina visit, and speaking on behalf of the bishops, AEC President Archbishop Charles Jason Gordon, welcomed the Pope’s election, describing his leadership as a source of hope “in a world that seems inevitably set on a course of war and destruction.”

They commended his emphasis on peace and human dignity, particularly his concern for “the migrant, the poor, the last, the little and the least,” noting that this focus resonates deeply in contemporary society.

The bishops also highlighted the Pope’s call for a synodal Church—one rooted in listening, discernment, and shared mission—as a direction they are actively embracing. “We remain firmly committed to the synodal journey,” they stated, while acknowledging that it requires “ongoing conversion, patience, and new pastoral habits.”

Describing the AEC as “a rather unique Conference,” the address pointed to its wide geographic and cultural scope, spanning multiple island states and mainland territories. This diversity brings both richness and complexity, particularly in coordinating pastoral work across vast distances.

Among the main concerns raised was a shortage of vocations to the priesthood and Religious life. While missionaries from Africa and Asia have provided support, the bishops noted the need for improved systems to help them adapt to the Caribbean context. They also flagged the impact of extended vacancies in some dioceses, which can hinder continuity and stability.

The bishops further raised the issue of limited representation at global Church gatherings, noting that the AEC had only one delegate at the 2024 Synodal Assembly due to its grouping with Latin America.

Beyond Church structures, the letter addressed broader social issues, including crime, inequality, and economic vulnerability. The bishops criticised development models that neglect human dignity, linking them to social instability. They also warned of a growing “culture of hedonism” and expressed concern about the effects of social media and emerging technologies on young people’s development and relationships.

Climate change was identified as a critical threat, with Caribbean nations particularly vulnerable to environmental and economic shocks.

Despite these challenges, the bishops affirmed that the region remains “a Church of hope,” sustained by strong faith and community bonds. They concluded by inviting the Pope to visit, saying such a trip would bring significant spiritual and developmental benefits to the Caribbean. The full text of the address is on page 24. See also page 11.

Following the conclusion of their ad limina visit, the bishops began their Annual Plenary Meeting (APM).

The bishops opened with a Leadership Formation session led by Fr David McCallum SJ under the theme Discerning Leadership. During the spiritual formation session, the bishops shared the fruits of their prayer in pairs—an invitation to deeper listening, reflection, and communion.

They began their third day grounded in prayer and reflection with a Spiritual Formation session facilitated by Grenada-born Sr Julie Marie Peters SSM at the Generalate of the Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother (SSM) in Rome. The APM concluded May 8.