Inculturating the Church in the Caribbean by Patrick Anthony CKFAPC, St. Lucia September 16, 2014

Geographical location of the Caribbean

Location of the mainland Caribbean countries Guyana, Suriname, Cayenne (French Guyana)

of the Caribbean mainland country of Belize Location of the Caribbean mainland country of Belize

Caribbean Cultural Icons Usain Bolt Bob Marley

Caribbean Faces Unity in diversity

Caribbean Multiculturalism The Caribbean is one of the only places in the world where one can encounter an individual who may be able to legitimately trace Amerindian, African, Asian and European ancestry in his/her family.

Caribbean Faces

RC Churches – Dedication

Stages of Colonial Occupation Before Columbus, St. Lucia was known as “Iouanalao”/”Hewanorra” by the native Amerindians By 1500 Spain claimed the island. For 100 years it was a venue for water and repairing and supplying passing vessels. In 1605 Englishmen from the Oliphe Blossome settled there after a mutinuy.

From 1605-1732, Amerindians under attack By 1730 the Amerindians had been decimated. Between 1731- 1793 claims and counter-claims of ownership by the British and the French African slavery introduced into St. Lucia

From 1794-1804, The Brigand Wars : French Revolution in St. Lucia By the Treaty of Paris, 30th May 1814, St. Lucia was ceded to Britain. Slavery would flourish in the island until Emancipation in 1838

Geographic Distribution of Churches, Chapels & Other

Catholic Presence in St. Lucia On May 13, 1819 the first Protestant clergyman arrived in St. Lucia. First resident Catholic priests arrive in 1749. Between 1749 and 1763 there were about five priests on the island in the parishes of Castries, Soufriere, Vieux-Fort, Praslin and Gros-Islet.

Geographic Distribution of RC Churches Total No. of RC Churches=24

RC Churches – Dedication

PERCENTAGE ROMAN CATHOLICS BASED ON RC POPULATION 1991 2001 DISTRICT PERCENTAGE Castries 37 Anse La Raye 4 Canaries 1 Soufriere 7 Choiseul 5 Laborie Vieux Fort 10 Micoud 11 Dennery 9 Gros Islet DISTRICT PERCENTAGE Castries 37 Anse La Raye 4 Canaries 1 Soufriere 6 Choiseul 5 Laborie Vieux Fort 10 Micoud 11 Dennery 8 Gros Islet 13 The results remains almost the same since in 1991 pop of Catholics was 105,356 compared to 2001 recording 106,497. A difference of 1,141 Catholics. Only Gros Islet recorded a 3% increase whereas the others shows a slight decreased or remained the same. Important!!! Census 1991 -2001

PERCENTAGE ROMAN CATHOLICS BASED ON DISTRICT POPULATION (all religions) 1991 2001 DISTRICT PERCENTAGE Castries 74 Anse La Raye 80 Canaries 83 Soufriere 91 Choiseul 89 Laborie 85 Vieux Fort 82 Micoud 77 Dennery Gros Islet 78 DISTRICT PERCENTAGE Castries 61 Anse La Raye Canaries 81 Soufriere 83 Choiseul 84 Laborie 71 Vieux Fort 70 Micoud 69 Dennery 65 Gros Islet Although in 2001 the pop of Catholics increased it is also very important to note the increase in the total population of all the districts. Hence the reason for this change. Very, Very Important!!! Census 1991 -2001

Crucifix painted black in San Fernando, Trinidad by Black Power demonstrators, February, 1970

“Want to confess here in all frankness and humility, that the record of our Church in this respect has not always been as good as it should have been. In spite of the example of many dedicated priests and religious who have lived among the poor and fully shared in their hardships, too often the Church we represent has seemed to be on the side of the wealthy and powerful.

“And in order to maintain a position of privilege, it has sometimes closed its eyes to wrongs and injustices crying out for redress. In the colonial past the Church sometimes acted as if it were a part of the establishment condoning either openly or by its silence the existing order. And in the post-colonial era the Church in some places has not accepted the need for change with sufficient alacrity and good will.

Our Church has also been guilty on occasion of acts of racial discrimination and of perpetuating social and class divisions. For these commissions and omissions of the past and present we the Bishops of the Antilles Conference humbly beg pardon from God, the Lord and Judge of history, and from you, the people of the region.” Justice and Peace in a New Caribbean, November, 1975

“From the customs and traditions of their people, from their wisdom and their learning, from their arts and sciences, these Churches borrow all those things which can contribute to the glory of their Creator, the revelation of the Savior’s grace, or the proper arrangement of Christian life.” Ad Gentes, 22 (cf. Lumen Gentium, 13)

Sir Dunstan St. Omer, SLC, renowned St. Lucian artist

Derek Walcott St. Lucian Poet Nobel Laureate 1992

The Holy Family Mural, Church of the Holy Family, Roseau/Jacmel

Holy Family Mural, Church of the Holy Family, Roseau/Jacmel

Dr. Rose-Ann Walker reads Walcott’s poem as colleagues

The La Rose Mural, Church of St. Rose of Lima, Monchy

The Black Christ Mural, Church of St. Phillip and St. James, Fonds St. Jacques, St. Lucia

Holy Redeemer Church, Desruisseaux The Last Supper Mural, Holy Redeemer Church, Desruisseaux

Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, Castries High Altar Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, Castries

Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, Castries

Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, Castries St. Omer Murals on the Cathedral Walls

St. Omer : Cathedral Murals Martyrs of Uganda Sts. Anthony & Jude

St. Omer : Cathedral Murals Commemorative Plaque : Bishop Charles Gachet FMI & Fr. Louis Tapon FMI The Holy Family

St. Omer : Cathedral Stained Glass Windows Jesus is taken down from the Cross The Crucifixion

The Kevin Jeremie Story Pope John Paul II acknowledges the sick child, Kevin Jeremie Papal Visit to St. Lucia , July 7, 1986

The Kevin Jeremie Story Pope John Paul II blesses and kisses the sick child Papal Visit to St. Lucia , July 7, 1986

The Kevin Jeremie Story Mrs. Marie Jeremie Kevin Anthony Jeremie

St. Omer Murals at the Regional Seminary, Trinidad & Tobago Green Madonna The Black Christ

St. Omer : Yellow Madonna

St. Omer : Gold Madonna

St. Omer Madonnas Black Madonna Green Madonna

St. Omer Blue Madonnas

St. Omer : Red Madonnas

St. Omer : Red Madonna

St. Omer : Red Madonna

“Holy Family Mural”, Roseau/Jacmel, St. Omer’s “Holy Family Mural”, Roseau/Jacmel, as book cover