Discussions held on pastoral letter for St Francis Jubilee Year

JAMAICA

Archbishop Kenneth Richards of Kingston issued a Pastoral Letter for the Special Jubilee Year of St Francis of Assisi (2026/27) March 8. The letter was published in two parts in Catholic Opinion (V 4 #20, early May and V 4 #21, late May).

St Michael’s College invited the Archbishop to expound on that pastoral letter. This he did on June 19, according to a report from that diocesan publication.

It reported that there was “a good turn-out face-to-face” mainly of Religious, especially Franciscans, along with seminarians and a significant number of persons on-line.

“Archbishop Richards pointed out that social transformation begins with conversion of the heart and that authentic conversion requires reconciliation with God and each other.” He reminded that St Francis saw peace not merely as the absence of conflict, but as the fruit of justice, reconciliation, fraternity, and reverence for the dignity of every person and people. His enduring greeting, “Peace and Good,” remained a summons to reject domination, exploitation, and indifference.

Archbishop Richards reminded that St Francis acknowledged human dignity. “However, in Jamaica, violence and inequality undermine human dignity. The Archbishop recognised the programme of restorative justice that offered a path of healing and reconciliation, where dialogue replaces division,” the report said.

He invited his audience to reflect on the Beatitudes as the true source of happiness. Archbishop Richards reminded that for the Church, ecological responsibility was a moral imperative, and that environmental issues were not alien to the Church’s concerns.

Referencing the Catechism of the Catholic Church, he cited that God created the environment and made humans stewards of that environment. The Archbishop proposed “a user-friendly Ecological Works of Mercy, where faithful affirm that Creation is a gift, that we should take responsibility to protect people, animals, and plants; use all resources wisely; share the Goods of the Earth justly; ensure sustainable development; be an example of Ecological Responsibility and protect nature for future generations.”

He closed with a call to action that would require all “to commit to renewing spiritual conversion, strengthening commitment to solidarity, especially with the poor and suffering, and renewing our commitment to preserving.”

In the extensive discussion that followed His Grace’s presentation, many practical proposals were made. These included reducing altogether use of fossil fuels which now provided 80 per cent of energy needs, when it was possible to increase significantly wind and solar alternatives; increased training of persons in parishes to foster and practice restorative justice; and encourage in schools projects for protecting the environment. There was also the plea that, if the Government goes ahead with allowing transit arrangements with the US for non-nationals, to remember St Francis’ example “and treat them with the dignity all human beings deserve even as we should treat any Haitian or Cuban refugees with dignity and compassion,” the report said.

A very practical suggestion was that schools end the school day with the Prayer of St Francis. The Archbishop advised that he was considering appointing persons to a Commission on the Environment.

The hope is that such a Commission could implement the suggestions made in the discussion and concretise the spirit of St Francis, bearing in mind that talk without action is futile.