ST LUCIA
The Association of Diocesan Clergy of the Province of Castries held its annual conference from 23rd to 27th January, under the theme, “I Placed Watchmen on your Towers Jerusalem” (Is 62:6). The conference began with an opening mass presided over by Archbishop Gabriel Malzaire of Castries, St. Lucia. Bishops Robert Llanos and John Persaud were also in attendance. Bishop Llanos, head of the Family and Life Commission of the Antilles Episcopal Conference (AEC) and the homilist at the mass, appealed to the clergy present to be watchmen in their parishes and various dioceses against the warped ideologies and practices which are infiltrating family life and undermining its stability and health.
From Monday evening to Thursday evening, the Family and Life Commission of the AEC made presentations and held discussions on the following topics: Sexual Integration as Celibates Today, Gender Theory and Ideology, The Effects of internet, social media and the family; Sexual Identity, Orientation and Morality, Sex Education in Schools, Spousal Relationship and Sacrament of Marriage, Canon Law and a Theology of the Marriage Sacrament and Pastoral Response. The presenters were bishops Robert Llanos and John Persaud, Fr. Matthew Ragbir and Mrs. Tricia Syms.
On Wednesday evening, the Association held its executive election and Frs. Alando Williams and Peter Emmanuel from the Diocese of Kingstown, St. Vincent, were elected president and vice president respectively. Frs. Nigel Karam and Herman Sharplis from the Diocese of Roseau, Dominica, were elected secretary and assistant secretary respectively and Fr. Albert Smith was elected treasurer.
The conference ended with an excursion to Pigeon Point where the clergy spent the day socializing. The 2024 conference will take place in Dominica.