By Sr Jean Devenish-Huggins SJC

A conference on Catholic theology has tremendous potential to be stimulating, invigorating, interesting, and that is exactly what the 14^th Conference on Catholic Theology was. This took place at the Archbishop Kelvin Felix Pastoral Centre in Marisule, St Lucia from June 15 to 19.

Being a Caribbean Conference, participants move around to different countries to allow the experience of Church and ambience. Barbados, Guyana, Jamaica, Suriname, Dominica, St Lucia, Trinidad and Tobago are some of the Caribbean countries where the conference has taken place and of course, people from all these countries have brought their special contribution where all have benefited from hearing of issues originating from the lands of our Caribbean cousins.

The conference was honoured to have present at the opening, Dame Pearlette Louisy, Governor General of St Lucia and Dr Rosemarie Husbands, Speaker of the St Lucia House of Representatives. Dr Gerry Boodoo extended a warm welcome to all present. The gathering included persons from several Caribbean islands and a number of priests, sisters, brothers and laity from St Lucia itself.

Monsignor Patrick Anthony informed us that this conference had started 15 years ago in St Lucia and had come full circle to its country of origin. He stated that a conference was a place to investigate, talk, explore, and share ideas and all this in the context of the Caribbean; it was good to hear of other traditions. He continued that the conference always welcomed new members to speak on what was happening in the Caribbean. He reminded us that faith was a “thinking” thing and that theology was about life and it was our own traditions that had led us to where we were today.

The first presentation that night was from Fr Joe Harris CSSp. Fr Joe’s topic was “Priestly and Religious Formation in the 21^st Century”, a very suitable topic to start the conference. In these days when there are just a few or no vocations to the priesthood and religious life, Fr Joe stated that at the outset a fresh look at criteria for priestly and religious vocations must be taken. He went on to elaborate this fully leaving his audience in no doubt as to the necessities and possibilities for formation.

Rhonda Earle of Trinidad makes an in intervention during the Cheryl Herrera Memorial Lecture of the 14^th Conference on Catholic Theology in St Lucia.

The next four days were full to overflowing with papers on diverse issues presented by members of the conference. Following each presentation were discussions, comments, questions, all very healthy, insightful, respectful. Fr Eddy Bermingham, SJ presented “Engaging with the Social Construction of Paradigms- as a Model of Leadership in the Church in the Caribbean”; Dr Gerald Boodoo – “Ecology, Stewardship and Body: Collaborative Ministry and Caribbean Identity”; Fr Clyde Harvey – “A Leadership Culture for a Colonised Church.” This presentation of Fr Harvey’s was the Idris Hamid Memorial Lecture.

There were two Memorial Lectures, the Idris Hamid Lecture and the Cheryl Herrera Lecture. Idris Hamid was a well-known Presbyterian theologian who died several years ago and who is remembered for his contribution to Caribbean theology. Cheryl Herrera worked with the conference for several years from its inception up till her death in 2003. This presentation of Fr Harvey’s was truly emotive as in seeking to explain leadership, he referred to the tragic recent events in the parish to which he is attached.

Fr Hugh Logan, a young priest of Grenada, brought to our imagination “Stories from the Grenadines - engaging moral imagination” truly an engaging and imaginative presentation. Fr Nigel Karam of Dominica put before us “A Christian Theological Critique of the Movement for Caribbean Integration by the OECS”. One could not desire a more topical issue. “A Theological Reading of the Nun’s Priest’s Tale “ was presented by Dr Rose Ann Walker, with no less a person as chairman but John Robert Lee, poet and pastor.

Jamaica was represented by Dr Anna Kasafi Perkins who proceeded to inform us on an aspect of Jamaican politics with her presentation entitled “Prophetic and Messianic Discourse in Jamaican Politics: The Phillip Phin Phenomenon”. Truly extraordinary.

The second Memorial Lecture entitled “Looking at Intergenerational Domestic Violence in St Lucia” was given by Marylin Hyacinth This was of great interest to all specially to the St Lucians. That night there was a full hall, as apart from the interesting topic, Marylin is St Lucian. Sr Marie Therese Clement OP took up the other side of the coin the next morning with “Parenting for Love and Life: Transcending Human Brokenness with Grace”.

The last presentation was that of Mgsr Patrick Anthony –“Pastoral Planning for the 21^st Century”. Like Fr Harris, Msgrr Anthony felt that a new visionary planning was needed for the future that called for insightful research and that Family Life and Youth were priority areas.

It was strange how some words kept repeating themselves. During the four days one such word was “narrative”. We all know the primary meaning of this word – story, tale, account – now we hear of the narrative/identity of my life, the story of my life, the story of my identity as a Caribbean person in the Church. It all brings up fresh ideas, fresh approaches, a new dignity. Dr Walker pointed identities in her reading that could mesh with the reality of human beings. Fr Logan showed us the use of narratives that could be presented in teaching morality in life.

Another word was “imagination”, referring to our visioning of our future as Church, imagination in our teaching methods, in planning sessions, just to mention two.

As leader of the conference Msgr Anthony left nothing undone to ensure that every detail was in place, that the participants were comfortable, well-fed and at ease allowing them to enter fully into the proceedings, as did Sr Frances Norbisch and her helpers. The camaraderie of the group was delightful, there was a fusion of thought, understanding and friendship as all of the same faith were trying to plumb the depths of that faith, placing the events and occurrences of life side by side.

Bishop Rivas who was out of the country at the start of the conference joined us on Thursday evening.

St Lucia has always been called the “Helen of the West Indies” and rightly so, as what we saw of this beautiful country left no room for dispute. We are thankful for this wonderful experience of the unity of our people and our faith, for the sharing of our lives, and have no doubt that all who were part of the conference are the richer in spirit and in faith.