On this the 200th anniversary of the Abolition of the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade there is, surely, much for which we must thank God. And yet any acknowledgment of the freedoms we now enjoy seems to show up several of the freedoms that we still lack and lead some to express much scepticism and even despondency.

Many in our Caribbean societies are still trapped by economic situations in peculiar ways; many still feel oppressed and have become discouraged by unjust systems.

The sexual exploitation of women – sexual slavery – still exists among us. The celebration of this anniversary, therefore, calls us to pause and reflect on the present state of affairs.

It has been argued reasonably that the work to bring down the bastion of the slave trade began, not with debates in the British Parliament, but in the struggle of the people on the plantations.

The faith and resilience that so often shine through human nature in fearful and seemingly impossible circumstances are aspects of our Caribbean heritage.

The experience of the Church is that among the people of God exists a living faith, the sensus fidei, in which there is “amazing resources of holiness” which, when guided and sustained, will “come to full flowering and bear abundant fruit” (Instruction on Christian Freedom and Liberation, 1986).

Mary – perfect image of freedom

By a wonderful coincidence, March 25 also marks, for Catholics, the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord, which may also be called, the Incarnation of the Redeemer. (Since, this year, the feast falls on the Fifth Sunday of Lent, it has been moved to Monday 26.)

 It is not difficult to see all slavery as having its genesis in sin. Jesus came into the world and offered himself to the Father to bring all peoples to freedom, to accomplish true liberation for all.

As the Instruction puts it: “It is from the most radical evil, from sin and the power of death, that he has delivered us in order to restore freedom to itself and to show it the right path.”

The Church recognises Mary, Mother of Jesus, as the “most perfect image of freedom”. She says to the angel of God: “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.”

Mary chooses what God proposes. Her words echo most perfectly the words of the Son in his conservation with the Father, as the Letter to the Hebrews relates it, “God, here I am! I am coming to obey your will.”

Mary’s freedom comes from her obedience to the Father’s will and her total dependence on her Son. Says the Instruction, “it is by faith and in faith like that of Mary that the People of God express in words and translate into life the mysterious plan of salvation with its liberating effects upon individual and social existence.”

As we recall the end of the slave trade and look back over the past 200 years with its periods of darkness and consider the difficult circumstances that continue into the present, let nothing tempt us to think that God has abandoned us.

 The Son’s gift of himself and his eventual death on the cross must allay such fears. We all, however, have to be faithful.

Mary’s feast and the 200th anniversary of the proclamation of the Act of Parliament to end slavery must also lead us to thank God for those who in the past centuries placed their lives on the line for the freedom and general welfare of the peoples of the region.