Region’s Catholic hierarchy wraps up historic meeting in Guyana

May 02, 2012 News

– Mission Statement adopted

Roman Catholic Bishops and Archbishops from the English, Dutch and

The official photo of the historic meeting

French-speaking territories across the Caribbean concluded their 56th Annual General Meeting and Conference over the weekend. It was the second time such an historic confab was held on these shores.
Perhaps one of the most notable outcomes of the week-long meeting was the formulation and agreement of a common Mission Statement which sets out the undertaking of the Catholic Church in the Caribbean, its goals and objectives.
The churches will aim to foster ongoing communion and collaboration, both affective and effective, in addressing the vital issues of the church and society “by knowing the reality of our dioceses; by using digital communications between plenary sessions; and by proactively addressing issues of human life and dignity as they impact our people”.
The Mission Statement went on to say that it aims to “foster communion with the church in other nations within the church universal under the Supreme Pontiff [The Pope] by promoting in our formation programmes at all levels of communion with the Holy See”.
Goal Three in the Mission Statement aims to “assist each bishop in meeting his pastoral responsibilities to the extent that means permit”.
During their meetings, the bishops also finalized plans for the Antilles Episcopal Conference (AEC) Youth Assembly in St Lucia from July 19-29, 2012, in which more than 1,000 Catholic youth from across the Caribbean are expected to attend.