Pope Benedict XVI’s representative to the Antilles says the clergy shortage and declining numbers of Catholics appear to be the two major issues being faced by the Caribbean Catholic Church today.

Addressing bishops of the Antilles Episcopal Conference (AEC) during their April 22-27 Annual Plenary Meeting (APM) in Georgetown, Guyana, Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Nicola Girasoli (IN PHOTO) advised the bishops to meet these challenges by building confidence at all levels of the Church. To build this confidence there must be trust and unity, he said, urging the bishops to start first amongst themselves and within their local Churches.

Archbishop Girasoli called for a greater level of transparency saying clergy and faithful have rights, including the right “to be listened to, to be responded to and to participate in the up building of the Church.”

“In this the Church must become transparent in decision making, in finances and in her policies. The priest and the people have a right to know about things that are important to the life of the Church.”

Stating that he is here to serve, the Italian archbishop remarked “I come amongst you as one who serves… Service will be the main characteristic of my mission amongst you. This service is in listening to, and in dialogue with you.”

Referring to Catholics leaving the Church, he highlighted the ongoing “Catholics Return” campaign run by Living Water Community, saying it is giving people a second chance by inviting people to reflect on the reasons why they left the Church, and providing answers to their many questions.

Service through compassion is what the Church needs today to address the challenges it faces, he said, and challenged the bishops to become that source of service and compassion for their clergy and people.

AEC president Archbishop Patrick Pinder of Nassau, Bahamas thanked the Apostolic Nuncio for his remarks and his support for the bishops and the Church in the region.