As Seen in 2025 – Caribbean Edition

We’ve closed the chapter on 2025. The Catholic News recaps some of the news highlights from the wider Caribbean Church.

CHURCH-STATE AFFAIRS 

• The Embassy of the Dominican Republic in Jamaica celebrated a solemn Mass in honour of Our Lady of Altagracia, the spiritual protector of the Dominican people. It was held at the Holy Trinity Cathedral in Kingston (CN, February 2–8, p 21)
• The Diocese of Belize City and Belmopan appealed to all registered voters in Belize to vote and exercise that right ahead of the general elections, March 12 (CN, March 16–22, p 21)
• Archbishop Santiago De Wit Guzman, the Apostolic Nuncio to the Antilles, presented his letters of credence to President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali and Dr Carla Barnett, Secretary-General of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), last March during his visit to Georgetown, Guyana. Guyana formally established diplomatic relations with the Holy See June 9, 1997 (CN, April 6–12, p 21)
• The Franciscan Sisters of Allegany, who played a vital role in establishing Chetwood Primary, Mount Alvernia Preparatory and Kindergarten, as well as Mount Alvernia High schools in Montego Bay, were given the Key to the City, as part of the St James Municipal Corporation’s recognition of the Sisters’ “sterling contribution in the field of education and spiritual guidance.” (CN, June 1–7,p 21)
• In response to a recent spike in violent crime, the Christian Council of St Vincent and the Grenadines issued a solemn and urgent call for peace, unity and decisive action against gun violence (CN, June 8–14, p 21)
• In a heartfelt and urgent appeal, Bishop Philippe Guiougou of Basse Terreand Pointe-a-Pitre issued a call to action for all sectors of Guadeloupean society to unite against the growing tide of violence and tragedy gripping the island (CN, June 29–July 5, p 20)
• The Jamaica Council of Churches (JCC) pleaded for inclusivity and respect by Jamaicans ahead of its September 3 general elections. The JCC said they have “taken note of recent actions” by a government minister who requested a known homophobic song on a political platform (CN, July 6–12, p 14)
• The JCC opposed the proposal by the Government to remove the auditor general from the anti-corruption body, the Integrity Commission. The JCC said the composition of the Integrity Commission has given credence to the principle of accountability, particularly with the longstanding inclusion of the auditor general (CN, July 13–19, p 23)
• Bishop Neil Scantlebury of Bridgetown believes that poor parenting may be a key factor contributing to the island’s rising crime rate. The Bishop’s comments came after Deputy Prime Minister Santia Bradshaw called on the Church to take a more active role in guiding the nation’s youth (CN, July 13–19, p 23)
• Guyana President Dr Irfaan Ali said that St Peter’s RC Church is a jewel in the national crown and a proud part of Guyana’s architectural and spiritual patrimony. The president was speaking at the end of Mass for the Church’s 150th anniversary (CN, August 3–9, p 21)
• Archbishop Gabriel Malzaire of Castries issued a formal statement in response to the recent court ruling decriminalising buggery in St Lucia. He called it a “significantlegal development” but reaffirmed the Catholic Church’s moral teaching on human sexuality (CN, August 17–23, p 21)
• The St Lucia Christian Council responded to a landmark ruling by the High Court that decriminalised consensual same-sex activity. The Council is now urging citizens to distinguish between legal permission and moral acceptance while affirming the dignity and rights of all people (CN, August 31–September 6, p 23)
• Fr Carl Philadelphia and The Sisters of Mercy issued a joint press statement last October against the death penalty for the gas station bomber titled‘God’s justice is better than the Death Penalty’ (CN, November 9–15, p 21)
• As the nation approached the December 1 General Elections, the St Lucia Christian Council called on citizens, candidates, and institutions to uphold integrity, responsibility and democratic values throughout the electoral process (CN, November 23–29, p 21)

EDUCATION 

• Holy Childhood Preparatory School celebrated its 95th anniversary, a rich history that began January 21, 1930, when the Franciscan Sisters of Our Lady of Perpetual Help opened a school for young children at their first convent on Lissant Road in Kingston (CN, February 2–8, p 21)
• Mayor of Montego Bay, Councillor Richard Vernon, said that all event fees for three Catholic schools—Chetwood Memorial Primary, Mount Alvernia Prep, and Mount Alvernia High—will be waived, as part of the celebrations honouring their centennial (CN, February 16–23, p 21)
• A sixth grade St Cecelia’s student spelled his way to victory, placing first in the 58th Catholic Diocesan spelling bee, the oldest formal spelling bee in The Bahamas (CN, March 2–8, p 14)
• A sister-school agreement between St John Vianney Catholic Primary School in Belize City and Taipei Municipal Rixin Elementary School in Taiwan marks another step in the ongoing efforts to strengthen ties between Belize and Taiwan (CN, May 18–24, p 20)
• A cross-country ride in the US is supporting Catholic education in Belize. The Belize Lighthouse Ride, which began last July, aimed to raise US$5 million to benefit Catholic schools in the country (CN, July 27–August 2, p 23)
• Three Catholic schools benefitted from the Friends of Luke Therian Legacy Project, an initiative honouring Lucas Therian, who passed away five years ago. The project transforms his memory of kindness and generosity into tangible support by raising J$1 million for the three institutions. (CN, August 24–30, p 23)
• The Catholic Chetwood Memorial Primary School in Montego Bay, started by the Franciscan Sisters, will be rolling out a new programme during the 2025/2026 academic year to reduce absenteeismand keep children in school (CN, September 14–20, p 23)
• Archbishop Gabriel Malzaire of Castries voiced strong opposition to the Ministry of Education’s directive regarding student hairstyles, warning that relaxing school deportment standards could undermine the very foundations of discipline and character formation in St Lucia’s educational system (CN, September 28–October 4, p 23)
• History was made at Pallotti High School as 18 students were officially inducted into the school’s first-ever Campus Ministry Group “marking a significant milestone in the institution’s sixty-eight-year history.” (CN, November 16–22, p 21)
• The sod has officially been turned to mark the beginning of the EC$40.6 million St David’s Catholic Secondary School at its new site in Marlmount, St David (CN, July 27–August 2, p 23)

DEVELOPMENTS 

• A Caribbean Assembly of persons involved in Catholic Communications was among the ideas accepted at the 15th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of SIGNIS Caribbean (SC). Training is also on the agenda for next year (CN, March 16–22, p 21)
• After 75 years of service in the Diocese of Georgetown, the Corpus Christi Carmelites, known for managing St Bernadette’s Hostel, bid farewell. Throughout their ministry, they touched many lives through education, counselling, prayer, and providing shelter for young women from all walks of life. (CN, April 6–12, p 21)
• A new initiative has been launched in Puerto Rico to revitalise and rebuild the Catholic Church, targeting over 600 churches, more than 25 schools, and additional church structures across five dioceses. The project follows a series of natural disasters that have heavily impacted the island in recent years (CN, April 13—20, p 35)
• The Corpus Christi CarmeliteSisters concluded 75 years of service in Guyana with the handing over of the St Bernadette’s Hostel to the direction of the Sisters of Mercy. The Carmelites returned to Trinidad, as the majority of the five Sisters who were serving there are elderly (CN, June 15—21, p 21)
• St Joseph’s Convent in Grenada recently held a special blessing for its newly constructed Marian grotto, honouring the Blessed Virgin Mary. The grotto was built using bricks from the school’s original building (CN, September 28—October 4,p 23)
• Bishop Clyde Harvey of St Georges-in-Grenada launched a diocese-wide Prayer for Discernment of a New Bishop, calling on the Catholic faithful to pray not just for a new bishop, but for the right kind of shepherd to lead the local Church (CN, October 12-18, p 21)
• Bishop Alain Rene Ransay of Cayenne described how illegal gold mining has poisoned rivers and fish, a primary food source for many Indigenous families. Yet, he warned, spiritual erosion caused by certain religious movements has been equally damaging, undermining traditional cultures and beliefs (CN, November 30–December 6, p 21)

PHILANTHROPY/FUNDRAISING

• At a critical time, the JN Foundation donated nearly 4,000 diapers, canned foods, and milk products to Mustard Seed Communities, which is expanding its care to include 58 Haitian children. The donation was made by staff members of the JN Foundation, the philanthropic arm of The Jamaica National Group (CN, February 2–8 p, 21)
• The diocese of Roseau appealed for an additional EC$7 million to complete the long-awaited restoration of the Roseau Cathedral, one of the island’s most significant religious and historic landmarks (CN, June 1-7, p 21)

ORDINATIONS, APPOINTMENTS, AND RESIGNATIONS 

• Deacon Vincent Mungai was ordained to the diaconate January 28 for the Archdiocese of Nassau (CN, February 16–23, p 21)
• A momentous occasionunfolded at the Cathedral of the Most Holy Trinity in Kingston, Sunday, February 2, as Archbishop Kenneth Richards of Kingston ordained four candidates to the priesthood (CN, February 23–March 1, p 21)
• After nearly 23 years of being a Jesuit, and more than 11 years as a priest, Fr Jeremy ZippleSJ pronounced his final vows as a Jesuit at a school-wide Mass (CN, February 23–March 1, p 21)

DEATHS 

• An accident claimed the life O’Neil Stevens, principal at the Jessie Ripoll Primary School, a Catholic institution based in Kingston. Stevens and his wife Camesha Lindsay died in a car accident in the US, January 3. (CN, January 26–February 1, p 20)
• Archbishop Patrick Pinder of Nassau, the Chairman of the Catholic Board of Education, along with the broader Catholic school system, extended condolences to the parents, relatives, friends and all who knew Ethan Clarke following his passing after collapsing during a physical education class at Aquinas College, Thursday, January 9 (CN, January 26–February 1, p 20)
• Archbishop Emeritus Edgerton Clarke of Kingston was remembered for his profound humility, deep faith, and tireless service to the Church during his funeral on March 3. The Archbishop passed away on February 13, just one day before his 96th birthday. (CN March 9–15, p 23)
• The Catholic Church in Haiti condemned the brutal act of violence that claimed the life of two Religious Sisters of the Congregation of the Little Sisters of Saint Teresa and also the lack of action by local authorities, who, it noted, were alerted to the imminent nature of the attack and failed to act effectively to prevent it (CN, April 13–20, p 35)
• A 25-year-old seminarian in the Archdiocese of Port-au-Prince died by suicide August 9 after battling illness and depression (CN August 24–30, p 23)

FAITH, CULTURE AND COMMUNITY LIFE 

• The Sisters of the Servants of the Lord and the Virgin of Matara (SSVM) joyfully marked 18 years since their arrival in Guyana (CN March 2–8, p 14)
• The Conference on Theology in the Caribbean Today (CTCT) called on Caribbean thinkers, activists, artists, laity, pastoral workers, academics, clergy and theologians to submit abstracts on the theme Prophetic Responses to Contemporary Challenges for its 23rd Biennial conference held in July in Barbados (CN, March 23–29, p 21)
• Sr Clare Harris SJC celebrated her 60th anniversary of vows in March in Grenada. Formerly based in Trinidad and now serving in Grenada, Sr Clare renewed her vows of poverty, chastity and obedience with her brother Archbishop Emeritus Joseph Harris CSSp in attendance (CN, May 4–10, p 21)
• The Antilles Episcopal Conference hosted one of the most impactful gatherings of Catholic youth leadership in the region’s recent history. The 2025 AEC Leadership Conference for Diocesan Youth Leaders brought together youth ministry, teams from 19 dioceses across the English-, French- and Dutch-speaking Caribbean under the theme: Pilgrims of Hope, Discipling the Now of God, last July (CN, July 6-12, p 14)
• Archbishop Gabriel Malzaire of Castries called on the Christian community and people of goodwill to join in a day of fasting and prayer for the nation last July as they reflect on the recent multiple homicides in the country (CN, July 13-19, p 23)
• The Ursulines of the Roman Union in Guyana celebrated three important anniversaries: the 490th anniversary of the founding of the Ursulines; 125 years of the Roman Union; and 500 years of St Angela’s pilgrimage to Rome (CN, December 14-20, p 23)

OTHER HIGHLIGHTS

• Regional leaders and bishops of the Antilles Episcopal Conference offered statements on the passing of Pope Francis who died Easter Monday, April 21, at the age of 88 (CN, May 4-10, p 21)
• The Jamaica Council of Churches condemned the recent violence against women and girls and encouraged “health-seeking behaviour” among men, following reports of an assault on a nurse, the disappearance and presumed death of a university student, and the killing of a young girl. The Church group stated that these incidents, “all in quick succession,” have once again jarred the conscience of the nation and elicited widespread outrage (CN, June 29-July 5, p 20)
• The University of the Commonwealth Caribbean (UCC) announced that Mustard Seed Communities will be honoured with the Excellence in Humanitarian Service Award at its 2025 Commencement Ceremony last July (CN, July 20-26, p 21)
• As Guyana approached its crucial September 1 elections, a new civil society initiative titled ‘Just Electoral Peace in Guyana’, backed by the Catholic Church, urged the nation to look beyond election day and address the deeper causes of electoral tension and violence (CN, August 17–23, p 21)
• St Joseph Mercy Hospital celebrated 80 years of dedicated service September 1 (CN, September 7–13, p 23)
• In the days leading up to Guyana’s National Elections, September 1, Bishop Francis Alleyne OSB of Georgetown issued a pastoral letter urging citizens to embrace peace, justice and unity during the electoral process (CN, September 7-13, p 23)
• The Community of Karasabi joyfully celebrated 100 years of Catholic faith Sunday, October 5 with a vibrant and faith-filled Eucharistic celebration (CN, October 19–25, p 23)
• Amid the violence, poverty and institutional crisis facing Haiti, the local Church clings to one hope: the presidential elections scheduled for March 29, 2026. So said Bishop Pierre-Andre Dumas, Bishop of Anse-a-Veau Miragoane and Vice President of the Haitian Episcopal Conference (CN, October 16—November 1, p 20)
• In a reflection titled ‘The Importance of Conscience Formation’, Archbishop Gabriel Malzaire called attention to a timeless and foundational human faculty: the conscience. He stressed that conscience is not only a divine giftbut a necessary compass for both personal and societal wellbeing (CN, October 26-November 1, p 20)
• As Dominica marked the 47th anniversary of its independence, November 3, Bishop Kendrick Forbes of Roseau offered a heartfelt message reflecting on the nation’s journey and the road ahead (CN, November 2-9, p 20)
• The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Georgetown celebrated 100 years since it opened by Bishop Compton Galton SJ in December 1925. As part of the centennial celebration, a Festival of Trees was planned for November 17 and 18 (CN, November 16–22, p 21)
• Guyana-born Sr Carla Thomas OP, a member of the Dominican Sisters of St Catherine of Siena in Trinidad and Tobago, completed her doctoral degree at the Regis St Michael’s Faculty of theology, RegisCollege, Toronto School of Theology in the University of Toronto (CN, November 23-29, p 21)
• Archbishop Gabriel Malzaire of Castries called for renewed recognition, compassion, and structural support for single-parent families, describing their perseverance as “heroic” and essential to the moral and social fabric of Caribbean society (CN, December 7-13, p 20)