Bishops of the Antilles Episcopal Conference (AEC) will travel to Rome, Italy from April 27 to May 3 for their Ad Limina Apostolorum visit, a significant event that strengthens ties between the Church in the Caribbean and the Holy See. The visit, which takes place approximately every five years, is “a pastoral pilgrimage where diocesan bishops meet with the Holy Father and various departments of the Vatican to reflect on the life and mission of the Church,” stated an AEC press release dated March 31.
There was no visit in 2021 because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The term Ad Limina Apostolorum means “to the thresholds of the Apostles,” referring to the tombs of Sts Peter and Paul in Rome.
During the visit, bishops will present quinquennial reports from their dioceses. The release said these reports offer “a comprehensive overview of the pastoral, spiritual, and social realities of the Church in the region over the past five years. They include reflections on the life of parishes and communities, the work of clergy and religious, the role of the laity, and the Church’s engagement with the wider society.”
The bishops are also expected to meet with several Dicasteries of the Roman Curia, the Vatican offices that assist the Pope in governing the universal Church.
“These meetings offer an opportunity for dialogue and collaboration, enabling the bishops to share both the blessings and challenges faced in the Antillean Region,” the release said.
A key highlight of the visit will be their meeting with Pope Leo XIV. “This encounter demonstrates the strong communion between the bishops and the successor of Saint Peter. During this meeting, the bishops will present the realities experienced in the Antilles and discuss pastoral priorities and concerns affecting the nations.”
Among the issues expected to be discussed are: the needs of families and young people, evangelisation, migration, economic hardship, and the effects of climate change and natural disasters on Caribbean societies.
The visit will also include moments of prayer and pilgrimage. The bishops will celebrate the Eucharist and pray at the tombs of Sts Peter and Paul, entrusting the people of the Antilles to the Lord and seeking the guidance of the Holy Spirit for the Church’s mission in the region.
In this Year of the 800th Anniversary of St Francis’ death, the bishops will undertake a day’s spiritual pilgrimage to Assisi, the birthplace of St Francis.
“The visit provides the bishops with a chance for prayer, reflection, and renewal, strengthening their ministry as shepherds of God’s people and fostering deeper bonds of unity between the Antilles and the universal Church.”
The bishops have invited the faithful across the region to pray for the Holy Spirit to guide their conversations and discernment, and for the visit to promote “growth and mission within the Antilles.”
