Religion

DIGNITY OF LIFE

from the The Most Rev. Neil Scantlebury, Bishop of Bridgetown

Catholic Social Teaching (CST) emphasizes that every human being is created in the image and likeness of God and, therefore, possesses inherent dignity. This principle is crucial in addressing social justice issues in Barbados, where violence, assisted suicide, capital punishment, and abortion threaten the sacredness of life. When society fails to recognize that each person is a Child of God, human life is devalued, leading to an increase in murders and the acceptance of unjust practices. In this Jubilee Year, we are called to be pilgrims of hope, working towards a society that upholds the dignity of all individuals and promotes justice and peace.

One of the most concerning social issues in Barbados is the rise in violent crime, particularly murders. Many acts of violence stem from poverty, broken families, and a culture that does not fully respect the worth of every person. When human dignity is not recognized, conflicts escalate into deadly violence. CST calls for the promotion of peace, justice, and reconciliation. The Church and Government must play an active role in fostering strong family values, providing education, and creating opportunities for employment, especially for young people. Restoring dignity through social support and community development will help reduce crime and create a culture of respect for life.

Another growing concern is the discussion around assisted suicide. While some argue that it is an act of compassion, CST teaches that life is sacred from conception to natural death. True dignity is not found in ending suffering through death but in caring for those who are sick or vulnerable. Barbados must focus on improving palliative care, mental health services, and emotional support for the elderly and terminally ill, ensuring that they are treated with love and dignity rather than being encouraged to see death as a solution.

Capital punishment remains part of Barbados’ legal system, although it has not been carried out in years. The Catholic Church opposes the death penalty, as it denies the possibility of redemption and contradicts the belief that even those who have committed crimes retain their God-given dignity. Instead of seeking retribution, justice should focus on rehabilitation and reconciliation. Barbados should move towards officially abolishing capital punishment and strengthening its justice system to emphasize reform and second chances.

Abortion is legal in Barbados under specific circumstances. Termination of pregnancies is against the dignity of human life. CST teaches that life begins with conception and must be protected. The Church and Government must work to support pregnant women facing difficulties by offering alternatives such as counseling, financial aid, and adoption services, ensuring that both mother and child are treated with dignity.

In this Jubilee Year, as pilgrims of hope, Barbadians must commit to upholding the dignity of all human life. By embracing Catholic Social Teaching, we can build a society where every person is valued as a Child of God, and social justice is truly realized. (PR)

Religion

REQUIEM MASS FOR POPE FRANCIS

A Requiem Mass for Pope Francis was held yesterday evening at the St. Patrick’s Roman Catholic Cathedral. Catholics turned out in large numbers at the Jemmotts Lane location for the Mass celebrating the life of Pope Francis.

The Pope died on Easter Monday at the age of 88.

*Bishop Neil Scantlebuy as he incensed the photo of Pope Francis*

The Roman Catholic Bishop, Neil Scantlebury during the mass incensed a photo of Pope Francis. He was joined by clergy from other churches, Anglican Bishop of Barbados The Rt. Rev. Michael Maxwell, Moravian Rev Cicely-Athill Horsford and Anglican Priest Rev Dr. Michael Lashley

*From left, Fr. Clement Paul Anglican Bishop of Barbados The Rt. Rev. Michael Maxwell, Moravian Rev Cicely Athill Horsford and Anglican Priest Rev Dr. Michael Lashley*

Religion

BISHOP NEIL SCANTLEBURY REFLECTS ON THE PASSING OF POPE FRANCIS 1

Catholics to pray daily for the repose of his soul

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Bridgetown joins Catholics and people worldwide in mourning the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis I, who died today at the age of 88. He had been ill for some time.

Bishop of Bridgetown, The Most Reverend Neil Scantlebury, said today: “He was the first Pope I ever met face-to-face and I remember his firm handshake, his warm smile, his simplicity. He was so humble, so real, so jovial, so holy.”

Bishop Neil added: “One of my enduring memories of Pope Francis is when he came out onto the balcony of the papal apartment after he was elected in 2013 and he stood before a packed St Peter’s Square and asked the people to pray for him—and a profound silence fell over the entire space as the people prayed for him. Fast forward to March 27, 2020, when he who stood alone, in silence, in that same Square and prayed for all of us during the height of the COVID pandemic—when he made his statio orbis. And then, just yesterday, Easter Sunday, he is wheeled out onto the same balcony where he began his pontificate, and gives us—the Church and the world—his final blessing. He was a true shepherd. May he rest in peace.”

Bishop Neil also hailed the depth of the insights shared by Pope Francis in documents like Laudato Si’, Amoris Laetitia and Evangelii Gaudium. He said: “Pope Francis was so full of mercy in his perspective, from the very start when he likened the Church to a ‘field hospital’, to his championing the care of the Earth, to the hailstorm of criticism he received for saying ‘Who am I to judge?’. He was big-hearted, he was courageous, and his call for us to unflinchingly minister to the ‘fringes of humanity’ still resounds.”

The Diocese of Bridgetown will have a Requiem Mass for Pope Francis, details of which are still being finalised. Prayers for the repose of his soul will be offered daily, and special prayers for the election of a new Pope will also begin soon.

Religion

POPE FRANCIS HAS DIED

The world has awaken today, Easter Monday, to the news of the passing of 266th Catholic Church leader, Pope Francis. Catholics have gathered outside the Vatican this morning as they learned of the passing of the 88 year old pontiff. Pope Francis had been ailing over the past months and and was hospitalised having been diagnosed with pneumonia.

Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the Vatican camerlengo, announced the news in a statement: “At 7:35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the home of the Father. His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and of his Church. He taught us to live the values of the Gospel with faithfulness, courage, and universal love, especially for the poorest and most marginalized. With immense gratitude for his example as a true disciple of the Lord Jesus, we commend the soul of Pope Francis to the infinite, merciful love of God, One and Tribune.”

Throughout his 12-year papacy, Francis was a change agent, having inherited a Vatican in disarray in 2013 after the stunning resignation of his predecessor, Benedict XVI, a standard-bearer of Roman Catholic conservatism.

Francis steadily steered the church in another direction, restocking its leadership with a diverse array of bishops who shared his pastoral, welcoming approach as he sought to open up the church. Many rank-and-file Catholics approved, believing that the church had become inward-looking and distant from ordinary people.

Francis reached out to migrants, the poor and the destitute, to victims of sexual abuse by Catholic clergy members, and to alienated gay Catholics. He traveled to often-forgotten and far-flung countries and sought to improve relations with an antagonistic Chinese government, Muslim clerics and leaders from across the fragmented Christian world.

After some early stumbles, he took strong steps to address a clerical sex abuse crisis that had become an existential threat to the church. He adopted new rules to hold top religious leaders, including bishops, accountable if they committed sexual abuse or covered it up, though he did not impose the level of transparency or civil reporting obligations that many advocates demanded.

In his final years, slowed by a bad knee, intestinal surgery and respiratory ailments that sapped his breath and voice, Francis used a cane and then a wheelchair, seemingly a diminished figure. But that was a misleading impression. He continued to travel widely, focusing on exploited and war-torn parts of Africa, where he excoriated modern-day colonisers and sought peace in South Sudan.