Release: Diocesan Clergy of the Province of Castries Gather for 42nd Annual Conference

Diocesan Clergy of the Province of Castries Gather for 42nd Annual Conference
Diocese of Kingstown (St. Vincent and the Grenadines) January 16, 2026 –
The 42nd Annual Conference of the Diocesan Clergy of the Province of Castries was
held from January 12th to 16th, 2026, bringing together Roman Catholic Priests and
deacons from all five dioceses of the province for prayer, reflection, dialogue, and
collaboration on issues central to priestly life and ministry in the contemporary
Caribbean. Also in attendance, as an observer, was a member of the Redemptorist
Community, whose presence further enriched the fraternal and ecclesial character of
the meeting.

Over the course of three working days, participants engaged in in-depth
deliberations on the call to the priesthood and the diaconate, with a strong emphasis
on personal and communal introspection and conversion. These discussions were
framed by the urgent pastoral reality of the decline in vocations within the Caribbean
region, and sought to identify renewed and creative responses within a synodal
Church context. The meeting was held under the theme: “Cultivating Priestly Life and
Vocations in a Synodal Church in a Contemporary Caribbean.” Facilitation for the
sessions was provided by Msgr. William John-Lewis of the Diocese of Roseau,
Dominica, whose presentations guided participants in theological reflection, pastoral
discernment, and synodal engagement.

Time was also dedicated to reviewing and reflecting on the Constitution of the
Association of Diocesan Clergy, ensuring that its guiding principles remain
responsive to current pastoral and ecclesial needs.

All five dioceses of the Province of Castries were represented, including St.
John’s-Basseterre, Roseau, Castries, St. George’s-in-Grenada and the host diocese
of Kingstown.

The meeting officially commenced with the Celebration of the Eucharist at the
Cathedral of the Assumption, presided over by Bishop County. Additional Eucharistic
celebrations were held in two parish communities (Corpus Christi and St. John the
Evangelist), fostering communion between the visiting clergy and the local faithful of
the Diocese of Kingstown.

In keeping with the strong focus on vocations, a Youth Forum was organized,
providing an opportunity for meaningful interaction between the clergy and students
from various secondary schools within the Diocese. The forum allowed young people
and clergy to engage directly with each other, ask questions, and reflect on vocation,
faith, and service within the Church. A fundraising concert featuring many members
of the clergy closed the formal activities of the conference.
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The 42nd Annual Meeting concluded with a renewed sense of fraternity, mission,
and commitment among the clergy of the Province of Castries, as they continue to
serve God’s people and foster a culture of vocations within the Caribbean Church.
For more information, please contact Rev. Fr. Alando Williams at
alandowill@gmail.com/1 (784) 497-5924.