The Church in Trinidad & Tobago

The Diocese of Port of Spain reports a growing crisis regarding the absence of young men and teenage boys from Catholic services. The diocese notes that while women and mothers continue to attend Mass, many households are losing the participation of their sons, who are increasingly absent from regular worship.

This disconnect manifests in various ways, including teenagers who refuse to attend, young professionals who identify as spiritual rather than religious, and adult sons who only return to the Church for specific milestones like Christmas Eve Mass, baptisms, or funerals. The diocese observes that the traditional rhythm of Catholic family life, where attending Mass was a standard household practice, has frayed.

To understand this trend, the diocese referenced sociological research, including a Swiss study suggesting that children whose mothers practice the faith without the father are less likely to continue religious participation.

The Diocese of Port of Spain released a reflection on Friday, September 18, stating that every baptized person has a role in the mission of the Church.

Drawing from the Gospel of Luke, the Diocese noted that a group of women accompanied Jesus and his disciples by providing resources and support for their mission. The reflection explains that while these women may not have been in the spotlight, their generosity was essential to the work of proclaiming the kingdom of God.

The Diocese encourages all members of the community to participate in ministry, noting that service is not limited to specialized individuals but is the responsibility of everyone. Through acts of kindness and service, the Church teaches that people can help bring healing and hope to the world.

The Diocese of Port of Spain shared a reflection on the Gospel of Luke 7:36-50 for Thursday, September 17. The text describes an encounter between Jesus and an unnamed woman who washed his feet with her tears and anointed them with ointment from an alabaster jar.

The reflection notes that Jesus recognized the woman's actions as a plea for mercy and forgiveness. It suggests that while the host, Simon, questioned Jesus' ability to judge the woman, Jesus understood the hearts of everyone present. The Diocese states that Jesus can see into the depths of the human heart to heal and lift burdens. The message encourages people to approach Jesus with humble and contrite hearts to receive peace through faith.

Three Catholic primary schools in the Diocese of Port of Spain have resolved operational issues that disrupted their opening for the new academic year. Ayanna Nero, the operations manager for the Catholic Education Board of Management, confirmed that La Brea RC Primary, Aripo RC Primary, and Tamana RC Primary have addressed problems involving sewage, water supply, and a bat infestation.

La Brea RC Primary closed on September 7 after cleaners discovered sewage overflowing from visitor washrooms. The overflow worsened when students used the facilities, leading the school to suspend classes that afternoon. Contractors began remedial work that night, and classes resumed on September 8 with fewer students while additional work continued after school hours.

Aripo RC Primary faced water supply issues because an impassable road prevented water trucks from reaching the campus. The local corporation completed road repairs on September 9 to allow for water deliveries. Meanwhile, Tamana RC Primary, which held online classes during the previous term, required further sanitation work to resolve a bat infestation before it could fully reopen following the September 7 start date.

Archbishop Andrew Nkea Fuanya of Bamenda, Cameroon, is developing a partnership with the Archdiocese of Port of Spain in Trinidad and Tobago based on shared pastoral experiences. Archbishop Nkea Fuanya, who recently made his first visit to Trinidad and Tobago, said the connection between the two archdioceses began after he met Archbishop Charles Jason Gordon during the Synod of Bishops in Rome between 2023 and 2024.

The relationship has resulted in two priests and two seminarians from Bamenda moving to the Archdiocese of Port of Spain. During his visit, Archbishop Nkea Fuanya checked on how these individuals were adjusting and noted that the seminarians appeared happy and well integrated into their local communities.

The two archdioceses are currently exchanging pastoral plans to learn from one another. Archbishop Nkea Fuanya described the connection as a synodal relationship rooted in mutual sharing and expressed hope that the partnership will continue to benefit both local churches for many years.

Judy Joseph McSween, a spiritual intelligence coach, noted that recent messages from various leadership gatherings in the Archdiocese of Port of Spain align with a focus on self-awareness and self-management to deepen spirituality.

McSween observed that themes from the Archdiocese’s 2026 annual Leadership Conference, Archbishop Jason Gordon’s writings on kerygma, and extracts from Pope Leo’s Magnifica Humanitas resonate with the goal of strengthening connections with oneself, others, the Creator, and creation. She described this process as bridging emotional and spiritual intelligence to foster inner conversion.

Daniel Francis describes how a collision during a football game resulted in a thumb injury that disrupted his daily activities. While playing with friends, Francis collided with another player while pursuing a loose ball, causing pain and stiffness in his left thumb.

Although he initially experienced only minimal swelling, the injury became more problematic as the day progressed. Francis reported difficulty typing messages on his phone and found he could not grip a jar of mayonnaise to prepare a meal. Because he is left-handed, the loss of function in his thumb created significant physical awkwardness during routine tasks.

Archbishop Charles Jason Gordon of Port of Spain said that nation-building in Trinidad and Tobago requires long-term social development and a commitment to communities that have been left behind. Speaking in a series for The Catholic News based on a Trinity TV program, the Archbishop argued that patriotism alone is insufficient to build the nation.

Archbishop Gordon described the country's crime crisis as a symptom of underdevelopment rather than just a security issue. Drawing on his experience working with gangs and gang leaders in Gonzales between 2003 and 2007, he stated that certain areas have been denied essential infrastructure, education, social welfare, and family support despite high national spending.

He suggested that these underserved communities should be provided with the country's best teachers, social workers, and amenities to support human flourishing. The Archbishop noted that while some institutions are world-class, the lack of development in specific pockets of society has contributed to the current social challenges.

Father Stephan Alexander, General Manager of CCSJ and AMMR, discussed the case of Lindsay Clancy, a mother from Massachusetts who killed her family.

The Cathedral parish community held a Conversation in the Spirit on Saturday, August 22, to discern the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

Archbishop Charles Jason Gordon conferred the Sacrament of Confirmation on young parishioners from St. Martin de Porres and Holy Rosary churches.

The Antilles Episcopal Conference held a virtual meeting on September 9 for 65 participants to discuss human identity and sexuality.

Archbishop Charles Jason Gordon, president of the Antilles Episcopal Conference, urged Caribbean catechists to prioritize faith formation over simple instruction.

The Diocese of Port of Spain published a spiritual reflection titled The Deepest Room, which explores how God's love reaches every part of a person's life.

The Diocese of Port of Spain recognizes the entire month of September as a time to highlight the ministry of catechists, specifically marking the third Sunday of the month as Catechetical Sunday.

The Diocese of Port of Spain shared a reflection on September 16, 2026, regarding the importance of recognizing God's presence through signs and circumstances.

The Diocese of Port of Spain observes the Memorial of Our Lady of Sorrows on Tuesday, September 15, 2026.

The Diocese of Port of Spain shared a reflection for Sunday, September 13, regarding the theme of forgiving others based on Matthew 18:21-35.