The Annual Plenary Meeting (APM) of the Antilles Episcopal Conference (AEC) concluded in Rome with Caribbean bishops adopting key pastoral resolutions aimed at strengthening evangelisation, synodality, formation, social outreach and ecclesial collaboration across the region.
Held from May 2–8, the APM formed the second phase of a two-week gathering that also included the bishops’ ad limina apostolorum visit to the Vatican. The meeting brought together bishops from across the Caribbean for ongoing formation, spiritual renewal and pilgrimage.
A release from the AEC said activities included a two-day workshop on synodal leadership facilitated by Fr David McCallum SJ, a retreat directed by Sr Julie Peters SSM, a pilgrimage to Assisi, and the business sessions of the APM.
The release said that a major outcome of the APM was the decision that the AEC will annually celebrate the ‘Mass for the Care of Creation’ on September 1, or the nearest Sunday, following its recent promulgation by the Holy See.
Bishops pledged to promote the observance throughout their dioceses as part of the Church’s commitment to integral ecology and care for our common home.
Spiritual renewal also formed another central part of the meeting. Sr Julie Peters SSM led a retreat on the spirituality of St Francis of Assisi during the 800th anniversary of his death. The bishops later made a pilgrimage to Assisi, praying at the tombs of St Francis, St Clare, and St Carlo Acutis.
The APM followed the bishops’ ad limina visit from April 27 to May 2, during which they met with the Holy Father and several Vatican dicasteries. The bishops described their audience with the Pope as “profoundly enriching, encouraging, and deeply pastoral.”
Concluding the gathering, the bishops reaffirmed their commitment to proclaiming the Gospel and fostering communities of faith, hope, peace, and communion throughout the Caribbean.
