The Catholic population in St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) has decreased from seven to three percent in the last decade due to aggressive proselytization efforts of various Protestant communities, two serious public scandals—one involving a prominent layman and the other a priest—and general religious indifference after the Covid-19 shutdown of churches. The charismatic renewal has always been a fringe reality in the country and has divided the clergy. The country’s few prayer groups have largely died post-Covid.

Fr. Peter-Mary Emmanuel organized the charismatic conference and invited Renewal Ministries. He is originally from Ghana and had been studying for another community before deciding to accept the invitation of Bishop Gerard County, CSSp, to be ordained and incardinated for SVG. The country’s renewed thrust of evangelization, renewal, and catechesis is largely due to his efforts. His commitment and zeal are exemplary. Bishop County has appointed him head of charismatic renewal and evangelization. Additionally, Miss Antonia Ross, a Catholic school teacher and the lay leader of the islands’ charismatic renewal, is exceptionally dedicated and traveled with us throughout the mission.

The mission began with outreach to two of the islands of the Grenadines, both of which were hit hard by a hurricane last July. The rationale for these outreaches is that few if any of the people of these islands would travel to the main island of St. Vincent for the charismatic conference, as doing so is relatively expensive and inconvenient for the locals.

Our outreach began on the island of Canouan on Friday and lasted until closing Mass on Sunday. About one-hundred people attended, which is almost the island’s entire Catholic population. At the request of Fr. Peter-Mary and the local pastor, I preached a series of talks on the themes of Hope in Jesus, Renewal in the Holy Spirit, Catholic Apologetics, and the Five Keys to Freedom—repentance and faith, forgiveness, renunciation, taking authority, and the Father’s blessing.

Then, we flew back to the main island and traveled to the Diocesan Pastoral Centre in the capital city of Kingstown. On Monday, we made a one-day outreach to a small parish on Bequia Island. Nineteen parishioners, largely very interested and engaged young adults, attended. I preached several talks on the kerygma and baptism in the Holy Spirit, and we wrapped up with a time of prayer ministry and Mass.

On Tuesday, I spoke to the clergy of the diocese at the pastoral centre in Kingstown. The bishop, eight priests, and four permanent deacons attended. Two priests stayed away due to rejection of the charismatic renewal and not wanting to participate in any discussion of it, further highlighting the division in the diocese. In the first session, I presented on the need for pastoral conversion and New Evangelization, based on relevant sections of Redemptoris Missio and Evangelii Guadium. In the second session, I summarized my book Clothed with Power From on High, in which I outlined the missionary ecclesiology of Lumen Gentium in Vatican II and the nature and purpose of the charisms in the Church. I included the theological basis of baptism in the Holy Spirit, its presence throughout Church history, and papal addresses on the subject. Both sessions were well-received, with attendees asking pertinent questions and having their confusion clarified. The bishop asked me to return in 2026 to continue formation on these topics.

The Catholic Charismatic Conference began on Friday. It was hosted in a local Catholic school and concluded with a candlelight procession and Mass on Sunday afternoon. The theme was Empowered by the Holy Spirit: Walking as Pilgrims of Hope. The other speaker was Debbie De Rosia from Trinidad and Tobago. Her message was excellent, and she carried a maternal authority that was very compelling. Her message centered around the need for signs and wonders, unity in the Spirit, love for the poor and needy, and dynamic evangelization using the charisms.

About three-hundred people attended each session, with numbers increasing near the end. The event was well organized with a very spirited music ministry that led worship in a traditional Caribbean style. At the bishop’s invitation, I preached the three Masses, gave six talks, and led ministry sessions. I preached on themes of basic Catholic apologetics, personal prayer, and vibrant discipleship.

We received a very positive response to the conference. Catholic Vincentians have been desperate for something like this for a long time. One young woman attended out of interest, sang in the choir, and announced that she will be leaving the Church of Latter-Day Saints to receive instruction in the Catholic faith based on what she had heard and experienced.

Fr. Peter-Mary and Miss Ross are heroically leading the charge to bring renewal and evangelization to the country. This small mission field is worthy of our support.

This article originally appeared in Renewal Ministries’ April 2025 newsletter.