As seen in 2024 – Caribbean News Recap!

As the year 2024 comes to an end, The Catholic News recaps some of the news highlights from the wider Caribbean Church.

Church-state affairs

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Bishop Clyde Harvey of St Georges-in-Grenada has emphasised unity, urging politicians to avoid divisive tactics (CN, September 14, p 35)
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Church leaders including Bishop Neil Scantlebury of Bridgetown called for a collaborative effort involving schools, families, churches and the wider society to tackle the growing problem of violent crime in Barbados (CN, August 11-17, p 21)
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In response to a court ruling on same-sex rights, the Roseau Diocese reaffirmed its stance that sexual intimacy is reserved for marriage between a man and a woman, viewing same-sex relations as contrary to this teaching (CN, May 5-11, p 21)
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The Catholic Church in Cuba expressed willingness to facilitate dialogue amid political crises and public protests “if the different political actors” would agree to seek a solution together (CN, April 28-May 5, p 21)
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Bishop Clyde Harvey of St Georges-in Grenada posed questions on Grenadian identity and values during the nation’s 50th independence celebration, February 7 (CN, February 18-24, p 21)

 

Education

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The Mercy Wings Vocational Centre in Guyana closed after 24 years, leaving a legacy of youth education and skills training (CN, June 23-29, p 20)
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St David’s Catholic School, Grenada reopened January 4 after significant refurbishment, symbolising resilience and community spirit (CN, February 4-10, p 21)
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Efforts to expand the Virtus Protecting God’s Children programme across the Caribbean advanced, as representatives from various arch/dioceses met in June to discuss enhancing its accessibility for child abuse prevention (CN, July 21-27, p 23)
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In September, the Sisters of Mercy in Guyana celebrated their 130th anniversary. They provide literacy and alternative education, healthcare administration, women’s empowerment programs, and address the personal, pastoral, and spiritual needs of the community (CN, October 27-November 2, p 14)

 

Developments

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The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Brickdam, Guyana prepares for Jubilee 2025 with significant renovations (CN, September 1-7, p 21)
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Renovations on Dominica’s Lady of Fair Haven Cathedral progressed, though funding shortfalls of EC$4 million remain (CN, June 2-8, p 21)
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The rebuilt Sts Mary and Andrew Church in The Bahamas was dedicated, symbolising hope after Hurricane Dorian’s destruction (CN, January 7-13 p 21)
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Belize City and Belmopan’s Diocesan administrator Fr Jordan Gongora announced a new diocesan logo, effective March 1, to replace Bishop Lawrence Nicasio’s episcopal logo on Chancery communica-tions (CN, March 17-23, p 20)
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St Lucia will erect a shrine to commemorate the deadly New Year’s Eve attack in 2000 at the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Castries, where machete-wielding assailants attacked worshippers, resulting in the deaths of Fr Charles Gaillard and Sr Theresa Egan SJC (CN, April 7-13, p 20)
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There are plans to renovate the 99-year-old Our Lady of Peace RC Church, including repairing the roof, and bat-proofing the building, ahead of the centenary celebrations in 2025 (CN, November 17-23, p 21)

 

Scandals

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A thwarted theft at Our Lady of Fatima Church, Guyana, saw the perpetrators desecrate prayer boxes (CN, September 14, p 35)
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Church leaders expressed their solidarity with Bishop Clyde Harvey of St Georges-in-Grenada as they recognise the “pain and division” following Fr Gerard Paul’s suspension from priestly ministry (CN, May 19-25, p 20)
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The Archbishop of Puerto Rico sent a letter to now-US President Donald Trump, asking for a personal apology following a controversial remark made by comedian Tony Hinchcliffe at a Trump campaign, where Hinchcliffe referred to Puerto Rico as a “floating island of garbage in the middle of the ocean” (CN, November 10-16, p 21)

 

Philanthropy/fundraising

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Mustard Seed Communities in Jamaica partnered with HaitiChildren to provide shelter for 59 severely disabled Haitian orphans, as well as 13 caregivers, amidst rising unrest in Haiti (CN, April 14-20 p, 21)
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The Diocese of Georgetown, Guyana, launched Youth Emergency Action Committees (YEAC) last May. This disaster resilience project, implemented by Caritas Antilles, targets vulnerable Caribbean communities (CN, June 2-8, p 21)

 

Ordinations, appointments, and resignations

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In June, hundreds from the Archdiocese of Nassau gathered for a Mass of Thanksgiving to bid farewell to Bishop Kendrick Forbes, who was ordained as the new Bishop of Roseau in July (CN, July 14-20, p 24)
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Pope Francis accepted Bishop Christopher Glancy’s resignation as Auxiliary Bishop of Belize City and Belmopan last March. Although bishops typically retire at 75, Glancy, 63, stepped down early “with the reasons for his resignation not disclosed” (CN, April 7-13, p 20)
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Sister Marie Therese Clement OP from St Lucia was appointed General Superior of the Dominican Missionaries of our Lady of Deliverande, based in France (CN, January 28-Feb-ruary 3, p 21)
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Bishop Francis Alleyne OSB of Georgetown formed a new diocesan pastoral council to foster shared mission responsibility (CN, February 4-10, p 21)

 

Deaths

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Bishop Lawrence Nicasio’s passing January 1 marked a significant loss for the Diocese of Belize City and Belmopan (CN, January 21-27, p 23)
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Fr Tony D’Souza SJ, a devoted priest who faithfully served the Georgetown diocese for over 40 years, passed away shortly after celebrating his 50th ordination anniversary (CN, September 1-7, p 21)
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A Memorial Mass last June honoured Cardinal Kelvin Felix as a unifying force in the Antilles region (CN, June 30-July 6, p 14)

 

Other highlights

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Archbishop Gabriel Malzaire of Castries and Bishop Kendrick Forbes of Roseau celebrated Olympic victories, with Dominica’s Thea LaFond and St Lucia’s Julien Alfred honoured for bringing pride to their nations (CN, August 18-24, p 20; August 25-31, p 14)
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Bishop Philippe Guiougou of Basse-Terre stated that local judo star Teddy Riner’s historic third Olympic gold medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics demonstrates triumph through union with Christ, who strengthens us (CN, August 18-24, p 20)
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Archbishop Gabriel Malzaire of Castries clarified that clergy in his Archdiocese and the Diocese of Roseau cannot bless any sinful union, but the Church remains open to those who sincerely seek a blessing on their journey to God. His statement follows Pope Francis’ declaration in Fiducia Supplicans, which allows non-liturgical blessings for same-sex couples (CN, March 3-9, p 14)
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Following Hurricane Beryl, Bishop Clyde Harvey of St Georges-in-Grenada supported Carriacou’s recovery, and Bishop John Persaud of Mandeville encouraged resilience urging “…give thanks, pick up the pieces, and move on” (CN, July 28-August 3, p 14; July 21-27, p 23)
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The presidency of the Episcopal Conference of Latin America (CELAM) highlighted the destructive spread of drug trafficking in Latin America and the Caribbean (CN, July 7-13, p 18)
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The 2025 Youth Assembly that was scheduled to take place in the Archdiocese of Castries from July 17-28, was cancelled due to “unforeseen circumstance” (CN, March 24-30, p 21)
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The Antilles Episcopal Conference (AEC) Youth and Vocations Commission will hold a leadership conference for RC youth ministry leaders from AEC dioceses. Scheduled for July 18-26, 2025, in the Archdiocese of Kingston, Jamaica, this event will serve as a one-time substitute for the usual AEC Youth Assembly (CN, November 10-16, p 21)
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Belize’s Mt Carmel Parish unveiled a new set of altar server vestments, custom-designed for the parish in a monastic style, reflecting the colours associated with Our Lady of Mt Carmel. Each alb was hand-sewn with prayers by the Las Clarisas nuns at their monastery in Mexico (CN, November 17-23, p 21)