Youth Faith Formation: Building Tomorrow’s Catholic Leaders

Youth leaders from the dioceses and archdioceses across the Antilles Episcopal Conference (AEC) gathered in Montego Bay, Jamaica, for the 2025 AEC Leadership Conference for Diocesan Youth Leaders. Held under the theme “Pilgrims of Hope, Discipling the Now of God”,  the event was billed as one with the potential to significantly transform the nature and overall impact of youth ministries across the Caribbean.  In delivering the keynote address, Archbishop Kenneth Richards stressed that, “this conference is not merely an event; it is a strategic investment in the spiritual, pastoral, and social infrastructure of the region”.

He further noted that by bringing together youth ministry leaders from 13 dioceses, this conference seeks to directly address a critical leadership gap in the Caribbean Church. He therefore praised the dioceses and archdioceses for ensuring that, as far as practicable, the delegations comprised members of laity, religious, and/or clergy. In so doing, each Arch/Diocesan Youth Ministry Programme, would have protagonists who would be equipped with practical tools and pastoral frameworks designed to strengthen Arch/Diocesan and parish-level youth structures, promote collaboration between youth leaders, religious, clergy, and lay movements, and foster missionary discipleship that responds to the real needs of today’s youth.

Archbishop Richards underscored that there must be a dichotomy between the models of secular youth programmes, which often fall prey to human behaviors that are contrary to Kingdom values, and those offered by the Church. He called for the proposed youth ministry to take a bold step toward changing that reality. He recommended as a source of inspiration and hope, the Collect for the Sixteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time: “Show favor, O Lord, to your servants and mercifully increase the gifts of your grace, that, made fervent in hope, faith and charity, they may be ever watchful in keeping your commands.” And the antiphon of Psalm 15: He who does justice will live in the presence of the Lord.

In a world seeking authentic role models, our Catholic tradition offers powerful examples of young saints who lived their faith boldly. To this end, Archbishop Richards offered timely examples of youth models who serve as a source of inspiration and encouragement. 

In a more definitive statement on the goals of the programme, Archbishop Richards stressed the need to ensure that there is a strategic multiplier effect.  He said, “Our recent training conference represents more than a one-time event—it’s a seed-planting initiative designed for exponential growth. Each delegate has to return to their Arch/Diocese equipped to:

• Train parish youth ministers in effective engagement strategies
• Mentor emerging young Catholic leaders
• Launch youth-centered initiatives grounded in authentic spirituality and Catholic Social Teaching

Speaking of the potential impact of the initiative, he stressed that “if each delegate reaches just 25 young people in their first year, we’ll directly impact over 2,375 youth”.  The net result over three years, with appropriate diocesan-level support, could yield a significant multiplication effect, thus transforming Catholic youth ministry across our region.

In addition to the obvious multiplier effect, the Archbishop also expressed hope for the strengthening of what he termed “integral human development by creating leaders who understand both spiritual formation and social action, and who appreciate that faith must be lived through service. There was also recognition of our deep diversity, as he highlighted that for the first time in this format, the AEC brings together leaders from the English, French, and Dutch-speaking Caribbean, modeling the synodal spirit of the universal Church. He therefore expressed hope for improved cross-cultural dialogue and cooperation, as well as the strengthening of regional identity and solidarity in the youth ministry’s mission. 

In his concluding remarks, Archbishop Richards reiterated that the 2025 Leadership Conference is a pivotal moment in the life of the Caribbean Church. It aims not only to form leaders, but to form “formers of leaders”, that is, young adults, religious, and clergy who will shape the present and future of Catholic life in our communities. With your support, this vision can become a reality, bringing renewed energy, deeper faith, and lasting impact to thousands of young Catholics throughout the region.

St. John’s-Basseterre was represented by thirteen(13) delegates to include Morvette Thomas, Jadeen Smith, Noleen Azille, Anthony Lawrence, Donnette Phipps, Jessica Beaupierre, Sherma Nicholas, Sabrina Matthew, Kathy-ann Bascombe, Reina Mason Jessica Okpoagn-Igbokwe, Sr. Edita Ulman (Ssps), and Fr. George Wacuma Wahiti.