The Diocese of St. John’s-Basseterre stands as a testament to the enduring presence of Catholicism in the Eastern Caribbean, encompassing the territories of Antigua and Barbuda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Montserrat and the British Virgin Islands of Tortola and Virgin Gorda.

Early Foundations

The Catholic presence in these islands dates back to colonial times, though it faced significant challenges under British rule. Following the Catholic Emancipation Act of 1829, which finally allowed Catholic clergy to serve in British territories, the foundations for organized Catholic ministry began to take shape. In 1850, Tortola in the British Virgin Islands became part of the newly established Catholic Diocese of Roseau, Dominica.

On St. Kitts, 1858 marked a significant milestone when Father Phillip Lynch was appointed as the first parish priest of the island, establishing the first canonical parish. Father Lynch worked diligently on the construction of a church that had been underway for over twelve years, while residing with a local resident, Mr. Emile S. Delisle, as there was no presbytery available. During this period, Divine Service was held in a private home on Liverpool Row.

Formation of the Diocese

The Diocese of St. John’s-Basseterre was formally established in 1971, bringing together Catholic communities across multiple islands under a unified ecclesiastical jurisdiction. Dominican-born Joseph Oliver Bowers, a member of the Society of Divine Word Missionaries, was appointed as the first Bishop of the new diocese. Bishop Bowers brought significant experience to this role, having previously served as the first Bishop of Accra in Gold Coast (now Ghana) since his ordination to that position in 1953.

The new diocese faced numerous challenges in its early years, including financial constraints, social discrimination, disunity within the Catholic community, inadequate housing for clergy, and insufficient staffing levels. Bishop Bowers addressed these issues strategically, forging an arrangement with the Divine Word Missionaries who agreed to take responsibility for staffing the diocese.

Growth and Development

Under Bishop Bowers’ leadership, the diocese began to establish its identity and strengthen its presence across the islands. In 1977, three extraordinary ministers of the Eucharist were commissioned, marking an expansion of lay participation in the liturgical life of the Church.

Bishop Bowers served until July 17, 1981, when he retired at the age of 71. He was succeeded by Bishop Donald James Reece, who led the diocese from 1981 to 2007. During Bishop Reece’s tenure, a significant milestone was reached with the completion and dedication of the Holy Family Cathedral in St. John’s, Antigua, in 1987. This magnificent structure was designed in the Modernist style, featuring an octagonal shape with a central bell tower topped by what is considered the largest external church cross in the country. The cathedral is equipped with electronic synthesized bells that chime on the hour, before Mass, and at the conclusion of funerals.

Following Bishop Reece’s retirement in 2007, the diocese was administered by an Apostolic Administrator until February 8, 2012. The diocese continued to evolve and adapt to meet the spiritual needs of its faithful across the islands.

Recent Leadership and Current Status

In February 2019, Bishop Robert Llanos, formerly Auxiliary Bishop of Port of Spain (Trinidad and Tobago), was installed as the fourth Bishop of St. John’s-Basseterre. Upon his installation, Bishop Llanos expressed his commitment to working with the priests, deacons, religious, and lay faithful across all islands of the diocese “so that the reign of God and a civilization of love may prevail in all these places without exception.”

Today, the Diocese of St. John’s-Basseterre continues to serve a diverse Catholic population across its island territories. According to 2022 statistics, the diocese ministers to approximately 14,997 Catholics, representing about 7.4% of the total population of 202,822 across its jurisdiction. The diocese maintains a network of churches across Antigua, St. Kitts and Nevis, Montserrat, and the British Virgin Islands, including the Co-Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Basseterre.

The diocese remains an active participant in ecumenical relations, maintaining positive relationships with other Christian denominations through organizations such as the St. Kitts and Nevis Christian Council. As the diocese moves forward, it continues to embrace its mission of spreading the Gospel message throughout the Eastern Caribbean, building upon the foundations laid by its pioneering clergy and faithful.