Friday July 31st 2026 Established 1905 27 Brickdam, Stabroek, Georgetown, Guyana Year 121, No. 29
Caribbean bishops issue pastoral letter on sexual The Bishops of the Antilles Episcopal Conference (AEC) have issued a comprehensive pastoral letter on sexual and gender identity, calling on Catholics throughout the Caribbean to respond to contemporary questions about sexuality and gender with what they describe as “truth, dignity, compassion and hope.” Published on July 26, the Feast of Saints Anne and Joachim, the 23-page document is addressed particularly to parents, educators, catechists and policymakers, whom the bishops say have a critical role in shaping future generations. The full text of the pastoral letter is available at: https://aecbishops.org/pastoral-letteron-sexual-and-gender-identity/ Writing as bishops of the English, French and Dutch-speaking Caribbean, they say they are responding to “a sense of deep pastoral responsibility and moral urgency” amid rapid cultural changes. “The Caribbean has long been a crucible of resilience and creativity. Yet, today, we stand at a crossroads,” the bishops write. “In a world saturated by hyper-sexualisation and rapid cultural shifts, (please turn to page 10)
Pope's August prayer intention - p2 Pope: Like a stream leading to its source, music leads us to God - p3 A Christian Perspective on Social Issues - p4 Sunday Scripture - p5 Where Was God? A Word of Hope after the MV Barima Tragedy - p6 US Bishops call for an end to racial bias in immigration enforcement - p7 Letters to the Editor - p7 Why monks outlive other men: Inside a 30-year study of European monasteries - p8 Children’s Page - p9 Faith in Practice Week 25 - p11 Mass of Consolation and Prayer - p14
Saturday, August 1st
Bishop’s Engagements Sunday, August 2nd 8:30hrs – Mass at Kuru Kururu 10:30hrs – Mass at Supply Friday, August 7th 13:00hrs – Mass at Qualfon 17:00hrs – Opening of Catholic Youth Convention Saturday, August 8th 8:00hrs – Youth Convention Sunday, August 9th 8:00hrs – Mass at Sacred Heart 10:00hrs – Youth Convention
A memorial to the victims of the MV Barima tragedy is seen during the Mass of Consolation and Prayer held at Brickdam Cathedral on Wednesday, July 29th. The illuminated candles represent each of the 73 people known to have perished, as well as the approximately 30 persons who remain missing.❖ (Please see article on page 14)
Francis Alleyne OSB