The Caribbean Conference of Churches ( CCC ) is currently preparing for its 7th General Assembly carded for June 9 to 16 in Panama .

The CCC is the recognised regional ecumenical organization (REO) of the Caribbean and one of the major development agencies at work in the Caribbean today.

The organisation is currently comprised of 34 member Churches in 33 territories across the region. In striving to be faithful to its mandate - " Promoting Ecumenism and Social Change in Obedience to Jesus Christ and in Solidarity with the Poor " - the CCC has been serving the peoples of the region for over three decades, operating in all four linguistic constituencies of the region, viz the Dutch, English, French, and Spanish-speaking territories. The organisation's general secretariat is currently located in Port of Spain , Trinidad .

The Assembly, which is the top policy-making body of the CCC , meets every five years and is an important event in the life of the ecumenical movement of the region.

Key decisions regarding the work, foci and programmatic initiatives of the organisation are taken there. The theme of the up-coming General Assembly is Healing and Transformation - given in Christ, fulfilled through the Spirit.

The Assembly will also be a time for delegates, in light of the CCC's mandate and the contemporary context of the region, to evaluate the work of the organisation over the last period between Assemblies and to elect a new Board to run its affairs over the next five-year term.

The Roman Catholic Church, through the Antilles Episcopal Conference (AEC), is a founding member of the CCC and will be represented at the Assembly by delegates from the various archdioceses and dioceses from the Dutch, English and French-speaking Caribbean of which the AEC is comprised.

Among the several delegates from various denominations attending the Assembly will be the following representatives of the AEC: Archbishop Kelvin Felix of Castries; Bishop Donald Reece of St John's- Basseterre; Msgr Christian Pereira of Port of Spain ; and Msgr. Herbert Panton of Montego Bay.

Also participating in the Assembly will be Dr Everard Johnston, dean of studies at the Seminary of St John Vianney and the Ugandan Martyrs. Dr Johnston has been invited to the Assembly as a resource person for theological matters.

Speaking of the importance of this particular Assembly to the life of the CCC , general secretary, Gerard Granado noted: "It is hoped that at this Assembly, decisions will be taken which would endorse initiatives and directions recently being pursued by the organisation, thus enabling the CCC to respond more effectively to the many new challenges of the contemporary Caribbean context, while also enhancing the quality of relationships among its member churches." "The truth is", concluded general secretary Granado, "it's more about refounding the organisation than about restructuring it."

Following is the CCC's official Assembly prayer, which all member Churches are being asked to pray over the next few weeks in preparation for the Assembly:

Assembly Prayer

7 th General Assembly of the Caribbean Conference of Churches

June 9-16, 2005 - Panamá City , Panamá

Almighty God, through the gift and guidance of your Holy Spirit,

You have led your Church throughout the ages,

Calling and renewing your people to engage in your mission.

Pour out, we pray, that same life-giving Spirit upon the 7 th General Assembly of the Caribbean Conference of Churches.

Give to the delegates a clear vision of your purpose for the peoples and churches of the Caribbean .

Take from us all suspicion and rivalry, that being united in one Lord, one Faith, one Baptism, we may commit ourselves anew to be for the peoples of this region worthy witnesses of your healing transforming love, in the power of the Holy Spirit and through Jesus Christ your

Beloved Son in whom all good gifts are given, and who lives and reigns with you, in the Unity of the same Holy Spirit, One God, forever and ever, AMEN.