As another hurricane season bears down on the Caribbean, the region’s Catholic Bishops are urging the faithful not just to brace for storms but to transform how communities prepare for and respond to natural disasters.
In a new Pastoral Letter titled “In the Eye of the Hurricane: Living the Rhythm of Natural Disasters in the Caribbean with Faith, Solidarity, and Hope,” the Antilles Episcopal Conference (AEC) calls on Caribbean people to face annual hurricanes, floods, and other natural threats with greater faith, unity, and practical readiness.
The letter comes at a time when climate change has made extreme weather more frequent and devastating, placing the region’s poor and vulnerable at greatest risk. “Each year, as the skies darken and the winds rise, our region is reminded of the realities of volcanic eruptions and how global warming has contributed to more powerful hurricanes, larger floods, and wildfires,” the bishops write.
Rejecting the notion that disasters are divine punishment, the bishops remind the faithful that God is present even in the storm. “Christ is present in the shelter during hurricanes, in the neighbour who offers food, and in the hands that assist in rebuilding,” the letter says.
The bishops argue that the region’s response must move from last-minute panic to a “culture of preparation,” rooted in Caribbean resilience and strengthened by spiritual action. Families and parishes are encouraged to form disaster teams, stock emergency kits, and check on elderly neighbours long before a storm hits.
“Waiting until the hurricane is already bearing down on us is too late,” the bishops warn. “The storm is not only a crisis; it is also a classroom. It teaches us resilience, compassion, interdependence, and resourcefulness.”
A formal press launch of the pastoral letter will be broadcast on Trinity TV, with the date to be announced soon. French and Dutch translations of the document will be made available to reach all corners of the Caribbean’s diverse communities.
The bishops also highlighted the work of organisations like Caritas Antilles, which trains young volunteers and parish teams for emergency response, calling them an example of “Christ’s hands and feet” in action. They urged Catholics to support the AEC Disaster Fund to strengthen solidarity across dioceses when disaster strikes.
Above all, the letter strikes a note of hope. Quoting Scripture, the bishops remind Caribbean people that “hope does not disappoint,” and call on them to care for creation, support each other, and trust in God’s promise to never abandon His people.
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